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MI DD LETOWN
UPPER HOUSES
This edition, published under the
(inspires of the Society of Middletown
Upper Houses, Incorporated, is limited
to Si.v Hundred Copies, of which this
is Number 7 (j
I
M I DDLETOWN
UPPER HOUSES
A HISTORY OF THE NORTH SOCIETY OF MIDDLE-
TOWN, CONNECTICUT, FROM 1650 TO 1800, WITH
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL CHAPTERS
ON EARLY FAMILIES AND A FULL GENEALOGY
OF THE RANNEY FAMILY
By
CHARLES COLLARD ADAMS, M. A.
Secretary-Treasurer of the Society of Middletown
Upper Houses; Incorporated
THE GRAFTON PRESS
GENEALOGICAL PUBLISHERS
NEW YORK MCMV1II
pBRARY of CONFESS!
two CoplM riect ».».
MAY 13 1908
jov»yrnt»i ti'U-y
0US»'A KXc.Nu
Z OOHt B;_
Copyright, 1908, by
THE GRAFTON PRESS
This Volume is respectfully dedicated to
MRS. HARRIET SAGE WHITE
HARRISON.
who bears the names of two and is de-
scended from others of the Founders of
Middletown Upper Houses, in grateful
recognition of her early and constant in-
terest in the work for which the Society of
Middletown Upper Houses exists.
PREFACE
In November, 1855, a young man left his college halls for the
neighboring village of Cromwell where he taught a winter school.
In 1860 by marriage he renewed his interest in that community.
Returning in 1888 to pass the remaining years of his life in com-
parative quiet he gathered up here and there threads connecting
those of the day with those of the formative period of this settle-
ment. Little by little the interest deepened and broadened until
the desire was born to bring together those of other places to where
their honored ancestors had lived and died. And with this came
the thought to put into permanent form the story of the records
kept here and elsewhere. With the reunion in 1903 the plan was
broached to publish a volume and the later reunions strengthened
and gave effect to this purpose. The sympathy and encourage-
ment from many directions have made of the toil a pleasant task.
At the age of seventy-two the compiler of these pages has the satis-
faction of expressing appreciation of all the assistance which has
been rendered by many in many ways.
The Society of Middletown Upper Houses, Incorporated, has
not only erected its memorials to Founders, Fathers, Pastors and
Patriots, but has given its financial and moral support to the efforts
of the compiler and without this aid the preliminary work could
not have been brought to the point where the material was ready to
go into the hands of the printer and publisher.
It could hardly be possible to make a list of the individuals who
have given special assistance in the gathering of material and in
the spreading of the spirit of enthusiasm and not overlook some one
fully worthy of mention. He has cast his net on all sides and the
result is given herewith.
To have had the honor of suggesting the name, unanimously
adopted by the town on January the sixth. 1902, for our one fine
school edifice, the day it was first used for school purposes. The
Nathaniel White Public School, is more highly prized than would
have been the gift of a lucrative office. On the bronze tablet and
on the printed page the school children of to-day and of to-morrow
will read the names and recall the deeds of those who first settled
here and who long ago rested from their labors.
In 1884 a centennial celebration commemorating the firsi Eng-
lish settlement bevond the Germans in the Mohawk valley was
viii PREFACE
held at Whitestown. New York, when due honor was paid to
Captain Hugh White who, with his sons, wont from here in May,
L784, and constituted the first English family to settle in Central
New York. The Hon. William Mansfield White, a descendant
of Capt. Hugh White who was a descendant of ('apt. Nathaniel
White, presided, and he uttered this sentiment:
"Royal blood is an inheritance. Noble blood, if it begets aoble
deeds, is a blessing. But above all and beyond all. is the inheri-
tance of a pious, God-fearing, God-serving ancestry."
To have been privileged to set forth the records of such an
ancestry is its own reward.
Cromwell. Connecticut.
New Tear's Day, 1908.
CONTENTS
PAGB
Articles of Incorporation, Society of Middleto^
r N UP-
per Houses
xvii
Life Members of the Society .
. xviii
Charter Members of the Society
XX
History of Middletown Upper Houses
1
The Society of Middletown Upper Houses
63
Eeunion of the Society, 1905, including Addresses
70
Reunion of the Society, 1907, including Addresses
97
Descendants of Thomas Ranney
. 141
First Generation
. 141
Second Generation
. 152
Third Generation
. 162
Fourth Generation
. 173
Fifth Generation
. 193
Sixth Generation
. 232
Seventh Generation
. 302
Eighth Generation ....
. 404
Ninth Generation
. 482
William Ranney Line
. 502
Timothy Berry Ranney Line
. 504
Family Genealogies .
. 507
The Bulkeley Family .
. 509
The Butler Family ....
. 510
The Clark Family
. 524
The Doolittle Family
. 529
The Edwards Family
. 534
The Eells Family ....
. 540
The Gaylord Family .
. 559
The Gridley Family ....
. 569
The Hall Family . . .
. 572
The Hubbard Familv
. 581
x CONTEXTS
PAGE
The Hurlbut Family .... .582
The Keith Family
583
The Kelsey Family
589
The Kirby Family
594
The L'Hommedieu Famih
607
The Prout Family
609
The Riley Family
614
The Sage Family
621
The Savage Family
638
The Shepard Family .
668
The Rev. Joseph Smith Family
670
The Abncr Smith Family .
675
The Stocking Family
677
The Stow Family
695
The Treat Family
703
The Warner Family
711
The White Family
713
The Wilcox Family .
740
The Williams Family
766
Appendix
William Francis Joseph Boardman
775
Eanney Addenda
:;;
Pardee Addenda
. 782
l\I)l :.\ ....
. 785
ILLUSTRATIONS xv
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MISCELLANEOUS PICTURES
FACING PAGE
Atherton. Susan Clark, House of Mrs 396
Bloomfield— Hall, Deed of 1642 577
Boardiuan, Jonathan, House of 29
Bronze Tablet 71
Crocker, Zebulon. Monument of Rev 768
Cromwell, 1900. Map of 99
Edwards, David. House of 537
Nathan. House of 537
Bells, Daniel, House of 588
Edward, Account with Capt. John Warner 548
Edward, Headstone of Major 543
Edward, House of Major 542
Edward. Tablestone of Rev 543
Evangeline. Unveiling of Bronze Tablet, July 19, 1905 70
Nathaniel. Headstone of 542
Gaylord, Samuel. Autograph of 28
Gridley. Samuel. Family Reecord of 5(59
Timothy Jones. House of 568
Kelsey. Israel. House of 588
Kirliv. Amos. Tavern of 61
Charles, House of 603
Elisha. Hotel of 600
Samuel. House of 601
Prospect Hill, 1835. View from 582
Front. William, 1720, Drawing by 610
Ranney, Daniel s, Account with Capt. John Warner 149
Ebenezer 2. Account with Capt. John Warner 149
Ephraim. Old Tavern of 397
Fletcher. House of 611
George. House of 350
George*. Tombstone of 536
Hannah -, Autographs of heirs of 155
John -. Autograph of > 154
Joseph -. Autograph of 154
Joseph -. Tombstone of 168
Joseph 3, Tombstone of 168
Joseph 3, Trees of 1725 169
Nathaniel. W T ooden Bottle of 580
Dr. Stephen, Commission of 369
Thomas 1, Account with Capt. John Warner. . .*. 148
Thomas 2. Account with Capt. John Warner 674
Thomas ?. Autograph of 154
Thomas 1, House of 144
Thomas 1, Tombstone of 145
Willett, House of 589
William. Family Monument 392
Sage, Comfort. Family Vault 029
David 1, Tombstone of 749
Ebenezer. Account with Capt. John Warner 148
Elisha, Douse of 628
William. House of 631
Savage. Abijah. House of 658
xvi [LLUSTKATIONS
FACING PAGE
Savage, Amos, Powder Horn of 658
Josiah, House of 659
Timothy, House of 659
Shepard, Jared, Great Oak 583
Smith. Aimer. House of 675
Isabella, House of Mrs 396
Joseph. Autograph of Rev 2S
Society Middletown Upper Houses, Life Certificate OS
Spencer. Samuel. I louse of 675
Family, Tombstones of 536
Stoughton Coal Of Anus 582
House of lG,°,r> 582
St. Machar's Cathedral and Cemetery 583
Upper Houses, Group of old 670
Group of old 671
Old views 718
Winner. John. Family record of Capt 169
White. Aaron. House. Hotel Sign and Tombstone of 719
Nathaniel, Facsimile of Will 26
Nathaniel, Tombstone of 749
Nathaniel, Public School 27
Wilcox, Thomas. House of 74S
Thomas, Tombstone of 740
ILLUSTRATIONS
ALPHABETICAL LIST OP PORTRAITS
FACING PAGE
Adams. Arthur Ranney 300
Charles Collard 300
Charles Samuel Gridley 300
Mrs. Elizabeth Gridley 300
Miss Elizabeth Virginia 300
James Mortimer 300
Baisdeu. Mrs. Martha (Ranney) 393
Boardman, Arthur 760
Wm. Francis Joseph 96
Bingham. Norton W 186
Brooks, Mrs. Jeannette (Ranney) 260
Lester Ranney 260
Brown, Henry Bascom 79
Butler, Capt. Daniel 517
Cameron, Mrs. Mabel Ward 109
Ward Griswold 108
Chamberlain, Mrs. Mary (Ranney) 261
Chase. Miss Ellen 665
Henry Savage 665
William Leverett 665
Clark. Samuel Wilson and Wife 472
Cummings, Mrs. Sarah (Chase) 665
Donahoe, Daniel J 96
Doolittle. Charles Ranney 532
Rev. Edgar Jared 533
Edgar Jared 533
Eckels, Ransom 186
Eells, Daniel 727
Dan Parmelee 554
Group at 1738 well 555
Rev. Edwards 516
Major Edward 550
Rev. Edwards and Sons 548
Rev. Edwards and Daughters 549
Ralph Smith 551
Samuel 550
Samuel Robert 551
Walter Gibbs 554
Faxon, Walter Collyer 96
Fisk-Bprester, Mrs. Stella 355
Galpin, Henry Norris 754
Gaylord, Group 565
Gridley. Dr. Timothy Jones 516
Hall. David Augustus 576
xii ILLUSTRATIONS
FACING PAGE
Hart, Ives William 229
John Jay 186
Samuel Ives and Wife 473
Hawes, Mrs. Polly (Banner l .' 355
Hough, Mrs. Mary ( Ranney I 388
Johnson. Rev. James Riley, D. D 617
Jones, Mrs. Zenana Amelia ( Ranney) 228
Kingman. Mrs. Eliza Ann (Ranney) 354
Mrs. Sarah Amelia (Ranney) 354
Knox. Mrs. Hannah (Ranney) IMS
Latimer, Mrs. Anna I Stocking I 090
Miss Mary Ann 690
L'Hommedieu, Mrs. Elizabeth (Gridley) 301
Lowe, Mrs. Ahbie De Ette (Ranney) 214
Macdonald. James II Wl
Meigs. Col. Return Jonathan 56
Merrill. Mrs. Cornelia (Ranney) 300
Morgan, .1. Pierpant 547
Parker. Mrs. Clarissa (Ranney i 355
Porkess, Rev, William 96
Putnam. < ;en. Israel 57
Ranney, 11 children of Elijah'-. 247
13 children of Dr. Waitstill Randolph 251
! 'mer* 187
>ner5 215
l ied Gardner 297
nhrose Arnold 250
qos Moore 190
ldrew Jackson and Family 306
ist in Sherman 229
Cassiua "Wells 215
Cecil J 358
Charles Thomas 450
Clifford Ira 206
Daniel Holland 358
Rev. Darwin Harlow 214
David Gardner 297
David Stocking 389
Earl Eugene and children 187
Ebenezer Goodhue 246
Rev. Edwin Hiram 389
Eli 21S
Elijah Crawford 246
Mrs. Elizabeth Cil.-Iirist 388
Mrs. Elizabeth Gridley (L'Hommedieu) 300
Franklin Eli 450
Dr. ( leorge Emerj 358
George Henry 207
Miss Harriet Augusta 219
Harris Guernsey 186
Henry < 'lay 271
Golden Wedding Group 368
Henry Eugene 246
ILLUSTRATIONS xiii
FACING PAGE
Ranney, Henry Joseph 388
Mrs. Ida Louise (Inman) 219
James 300
James K. P. and grandson 494
James Mortimer 300
James Sumner 350
Jesse 350
John 2G1
John Goodhue 187
John Hathorne 194
Rev. Joseph Addison 296
Joseph Addison 290
Miss Julia Isabel 219
Lafayette 358
Luke 351
Luke Frank 229
Luther Boardman 270
Lyman 218
Dr. Lyman Wells 215
Madison 359
Moses 388
Nathan Cornelius 292
Oliver 187
Oliver 194
Oliver Franklin 187
Robert Burton •_
Robert Giboney and Family 307
Royal Gilbert 2'
Rufus Percival 271
Salvator Otis 4!
Samuel Allen .°,:
Stephen 194
Sullivan 270
Thomas Stow 195
Dr. Waitstill Randolph 250
Walter Roy 290
Willett Phineas and Wife 451
William, artist 293
William Caton 194
William Keith 389
William Ostrander 494
William W 293
William and Wife 347
Willis 297
Willis Madison 359
7/enas Edwards 30::
Rattle. Mrs. Elizabeth and Granddaughter 564
Reunion. Group in 1903 64
Group in 1904 65
G. A. R. in 1904 07
Children in 1904 00
Group in 1 007 97
Richardson. Dr. John Henrv and Wife 2H
xiv ILLUSTRATIONS
Richardson, Mrs. Sabra Ranney . 354
Riley, Capt James and Wife 616
James Watson 617
William Willshire 617
Roonie, Mrs. Virginia (Stocking i 691
Rossinan. Mrs. Nettie (Ranney) 219
Sage. Col. Comfort and Wife 628
Capt Nathan and Wife 630
Orrin 633
Savage. Henry Russell 510
Capt. Timothy and Wife 66 1
Timothy. Jr.. and Wife 664
Stanton, Charles Ilenrv 546
Stocking. Rev. C. II. W.. I >. I » 220
George Byrd 691
George Washburn and Wife G91
Capt. Horace 690
Justus 690
Philo Washburn and Wife 691
Swenson. Mrs. Eliza Susan (Ranney) 340
Treat, Mrs. Julia (Ranney) 21S
Miss Mila flakes 711
Mil.. Clinton 710
Ward, Austin Merrels 108
Mrs. Delia Bidwell 108
Walden. Mrs. Josephine Idella (Ranney) 355
Walkley, Weebster Rogers 7S
Wheeler. Frederick Benjamin and Family 495
Mrs. Mabel (Ranney) 195
White. Canvass 725
Charles Merrow 726
Chauncey Howard 732
Edward Luther 732
1 lenry 7::::
Hugh Tjr,
Mrs. Rebecca (Ranney) 389
William Mansfield 724
William Roland 733
Wightman. Mrs. Clarissa (Butler) 517
Rev. Frederick 517
Stilhnan King ."17
Wilcox. Frank Langdon 7< - .:'.
Frederick William 516
Col. Jonathan Samuel 755
Samuel Curtis 763
William Walter. Sr 702
William Walter. Jr 762
Williams, Rev. Joshua Lewis 709
Woodard James Madison 350
Twins 359
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
SOCIETY OF MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES, IN-
CORPORATED.
BE IT KNOWN, That we, the subscribers, do hereby associate
ourselves as a body politic and corporate, pursuant to the statute
laws of the State of Connecticut regulating the formation and
organization of corporations without capital stock, and the follow-
ing are our articles of association :
Article 1. The name of said corporation shall be The Society of
Middletown Upper Houses, Incorporated.
Article 2. The purposes for which said corporation is formed
are the following, to wit:
To obtain title to and to hold the plot of land on which our
memorials do and are to stand; to foster the spirit of reverence
for our ancestors; to hold reunions of our members and of other
descendants of families of Middletown Upper Houses; and to
gather and to disseminate information historical, genealogical, and
biographical concerning Middletown Upper Houses and its families.
Article 3. The said corporation is located in the Town of Crom-
well, County of Middlesex, and State of Connecticut.
Dated at Cromwell this 19th day of July, 1905.
S. 0. Ranney,
Charles H. Stanton,
Frank L. Wilcox,
Charles ■ Collard Adams,
Wm. Roland White,
M. C. Treat,
Names of Subscribers.
xviii LIFE MEMBERS
State of Connecticut,)
County of Middlesex. / ss "
Then and there personally appeared S. 0. Rannev. Charles H.
Stanton. Frank L. Wilcox, Charles Collard Adams, William Roland
White, and M. C. Treat, signers of the foregoing instrument and
acknowledged the same to he their free act and deed, before me,
Arthur Board.m \n.
Approved, July 27, L905. Notary Public.
Theodore Bodenwein, Secretary,
per A. R. Parsons.
State of Connecticut. \
Office of the Secretary. *
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of record in
this office, and of the endorsement of approval thereon.
m TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand.
and affixed the Seal of said State, at Hartford, this 27th dav of
July, A. D., 1905.
Theodore Bodenwein, Secretary.
[seal]
LIFE MEMBERS*
SOCIETY OF MIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES, INCOR-
PORATED.
Mrs. Elizabeth Eells Abbott, Clinton, New York.
Mrs. Elizabeth Gridley Adams. Cromwell, Conn.
Mrs. Eli Melville Ashley. Denver, Col.
William Francis Joseph Boardman. Hartford. Conn.
Miss Abby Anna Bradley. Hingham, Mass.
Anson Strong Brooks. Minneapolis, Minn.
Philip Ranney Brooks. Minneapolis, Minn.
Mrs. Mabel Ward Cameron, Allston, Mass.
Miss Kllen Chase, Brookline. Mass.
Mrs. Julia Jones Crary, Eooperston, ill.
Ferris Edward Davis. Delhi, N. Y.
Mrs. Mary Eliza Norton Davis. Albany, \. V.
Edgar Jared Doolittle. Meriden, Conn.
vMeiatiah Everett Dwight, D. D.
Ransom Eckels, Arlington, Wash.
Howard Parmelee Eells, I 'leveland, I >.
Walter Glbbs Eells, Philadelphia, Pa.
Mrs. Walter Collyer Faxon, Hartford, Conn.
Mrs. Stella fisk Forester, Taplin, Ida,
•Being those who have contributed ten dollars or more for the
work of the Society.
t Dead.
LIFE MEMBERS
.Mrs. Lawrence Bertram Flint, Needhain, Mass.
Miss Clara Cornelia Fuller, Ossining, N. Y.
Miss Ruth Galpin, Berlin, Conn.
Francis Goodwin, D. D., Hartford, Conn.
James Junius Goodwin, Hartford, Conn.
Mrs. Albert Stevens Hall, Winchester, Mass.
David Augustus Hall, Portland. Conn.
Mrs. Harriet Sage Harrison, Leete's Island. Conn.
Newman Hungerford, Hartford, Conn.
William Latimer, Wilmington, N. C.
Russell W. Lowe. M. D., Ridgefield, Conn.
*Mrs. William McPherson, Jr.
John Pierpont Morgan, New York City.
Jesse Homan Pardee, Meadville, Pa.
Andrew Jackson Ranney, Osawotamie, Kan.
Cornelius John Ranney, Cleveland, O.
Charles Percival Ranney, Cleveland, O.
Charles Thomas Ranney, Greenville, Mich.
Ebenezer Goodhue Ranney. Homer, N. Y.
Fletcher Ranney, Boston, Mass.
Frederick Eli Ranney, Greenville, Mich.
George Emery Ranney, M. D., Lansing, Midi.
George Henry Ranney, St. Paul, Minn.
Henry Clay Ranney, Cleveland, O.
Henry Eugene Ranney. Cortland, N. Y.
James Knox Polk Ranney, Osawotamie, Kan.
John Goodhue Ranney, Syracuse, N. Y.
Joseph Pope Ranney, New York City.
Lemuel Sears Ranney, Hillsdale, Mich.
Luther Kelsey Ranney, Peninsula, O.
Maria Serena Ranney, Austin, Minn.
*Nathan Cornelius Ranney.
Robert Burton Ranney, New Castle, Pa.
Robert Giboney Ranney, Cape Girardeau. Mo.
Royal Gilbert Ranney, Little York, 111.
Salvador Otis Ranney, Windsor Locks, Conn.
Miss Sarah Maria Ranney, Peninsula. O.
Walter Roy Ranney, Arkansas City, Kan.
Willett George Ranney, Cleveland O.
William Ostrander Ranney, Osawotamie, Kan.
Zenas Edwards Ranney, Middletown, Conn.
William James Rattle, Cleveland, O.
John Mack Richardson, Medfield, Mass.
Frederick II. Sage, M. D., Middletown, Conn.
William H. Sage, Albany, N. Y.
Albert Russell Savage, Portland, Me.
Charles Henry Stanton, Clinton. N. Y.
Edgar Blood Stocking, Washington, D. C.
George Washburn, Stocking. Sisterville, W. Va.
Mrs. Ole S. Swonson. Soux Falls. So. Dak.
Milo Clinton Treat. Washington, Pa.
Mrs. Flora Alice Wilcox Turney, Chicago, 111.
Mrs. Hattie Baldwin Wellman, Friendship. N. Y.
Mrs. Mabel Ranney Wheeler, Pittsburg, Kan.
*Dead.
CHARTEE MEMBERS
George Luther White Waterbury, Conn.
Mrs. Mary Elizabeth White. Springfield, Mass.
Frank Langdon Wilcox, Berlin, Conn.
Frederick Peck Wilcox, New York City.
George Eorace Wilcox. Meriden, Conn.
John Keyes Williams. Eartford, Cann.
. rames Madison Woodard, Greenfield, Mass.
CH. i RTER MEMBERS *
SOCIETY OF MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES, INCOR-
PORATED.
William Pratt Abbott, Lake Charles. La.
Arthur Ranney Adams. Hartford. Conn.
Artina Marguerite Adams. Hartford. Conn.
Charles Collard Adams, Cromwell, Conn.
Elizabeth Virginia Adams.* Cromwell. Conn.
Gridley Adams. Now Rochelle, N. Y.
Harriel Boyington Adams. Hartford, Conn.
James Mortimer Adams. Hartford. Conn.
Josephiue Janice Adams. New Rochelle, N. Y.
Mrs. Leola Sarah Adams. Howard, R. I.
Mrs. Henry Clay Aldrich, Minneapolis, Minn.
Coor^e Allen. Adams, X. Y.
Theodore Anderson, Cromwell, Conn.
Reese Gates Applegate, Sikeston, Mo.
Eli Melville Ashley, Denver, Col.
I'rank Riley Ashley, Denver, Col.
Ralph E. Ashley, Denver, Col.
Andrew Jackson Atherton. Livermore. Ky.
Romeo Atherton. Livermore, Ky.
Mrs. Harriet E. Bailey, Dunkirk, N. Y.
Mrs. Martha Caylord Bailey, Cleveland. O.
Theodore Orson Bailey, Cleveland, O.
•Rev. William Ranney Baldwin.
Mrs. Louise Bestor Barbour, Hartford. Conn.
Charles M. I tea rdslee. Blodgett, Mo.
John M. I'.eardslee. Rlodgett. Mo.
♦Mrs. Marie Louise Restor.
Mrs. Jennie S. Bewick, Madison. Wis.
George Herberl Blanden, Springfield, Mass.
Arthur I'.oardman. Cromwell, Conn.
Charles E. Booth, New York City.
Emily Stocking Brandegee, Berlin, Conn.
Florence Stocking Brandegee, Berlin, Conn.
Katherine Brandegee, Berlin, Conn.
vjohu 0. Brandegee.
Mrs. William II. Bridge, Spokane. Wash.
Mrs. Henry BaSCOm Crown. Last Hamilton. Conn.
Mrs. Margarel Drake Buckingham, Minneiska, Minn.
Mrs. Frederick Burckhardt, Cincinnati. 0.
* Being those who have contributed one dollar or more, hut less
Mian ten dollars, for the work of the Society.
t Dead.
CHARTER MEMBERS
Lucy P. Bush, New Haven, Conn.
Charles A. Butler, Utiea, N. Y.
Mrs. E. L. Campbell. Conistock, N. Y.
James Willett Chamberlain. Akron, Ohio.
Marian Gertrude Chamberlain, Akron, Ohio.
Robert Savage Chase, Brookline, Mass.
Mrs. G. G. Chauncey, Fulton. N. Y.
Henry Chauncey. New York City.
Mrs. "Alexander B. Clark, Ox Bow, N. Y.
Mrs. George Clark, Ames, Kan.
Samuel Wilson Clark, New Britain, Conn.
Mrs. J. A. Cochran, Cincinnati, O.
Mrs. A. L. Conger, Akron. O.
Mrs Martha Ranney Cooper, Great Kills, S. I.
Mrs. Horace Bassett Coiner. Cleveland, O.
E. E. Cornwall, M. D., Brooklyn, N. Y.
Mrs. A. S. Cotton, Clifton Springs, N. Y.
William Ranney Crary, Willoughby, O.
Henry. Savage Chase Cummings, Brookline, Mass.
Lincoln Clifford Cummings, Brookline, Mass.
Rosamond Cummings, Brookline, Mass.
William Leverett Cummings, Brookline, Mass.
Mary Ranney Cutting, Westminster West, Vt.
Mrs. Grace Ranney Diamond, Gaithersburg, Md.
Mrs. Julia B. Dillaby, Somersville. Mass.
Mrs. P. H. Dudley, New York City.
Mrs. Georgia L. Durley, New Haven, Conn.
♦Benjamin M. Dyer.
Erastus Ranney Ellis, M. D., Detroit, Mich.
Rev. Edward Eells, Fall River, Mass.
Mrs. H. B. Eells, Unadilla, N. Y.
Herbert Eells, Philadelphia, Pa.
John H. Eells, Pittsfield, M:iss.
Mrs. Carrie M. Evans, Akron. O.
William H. Evans, Sr., Akron, O.
William H. Evans, Jr., Akron, O.
Anna L. Francis, Glenbrook, Conn.
Mrs. Amasa A. Fuller, Warren, Yt.
♦Fred E. Garrett.
Ethel G. Gaylord. Cleveland, O.
John A. Gaylord, Cuyahoga Falls, O.
Mrs. James A. Grantier, Forestville. N. Y.
Mrs. H. L. Gregory, Vincennes, Ind.
Mrs. Mary Ranney Hadcock, Watertown, N. Y.
Mrs. Maria Carr Hale, Winterset, la.
Harriet Wells Hale, Winterset, la.
*0. W. Hale.
Lizzie M. Harrison. West Winheld. X. Y.
C. R. Hart, M. D., New Hartford, N. Y
♦Edmund Benjamin Hart.
Ellen Delia Hart, Meriden, Conn.
James Riley Hodder. Brookline, Mass.
Mrs. Mahala Riley Hodder. Brookline, Mass.
Sylvester W. Hoffman, Zanosville. O.
♦Dead.
CHARTER MEMBERS
Jonathan J. Holland, New Hartford, la.
Mrs. A. L. Holman, Chicago. 111.
Winslow Holmes, Shellrock. la.
John Hough, Spartansburg, Ind.
Herbert Housel, Noblesville, Ind.
E. Kent Hubbard. Jr.. Middletown. Conn.
Mrs. Amanda A. Hull. Warren, Vt.
Mrs. Zidana Humphrey, Nuehols, Ky.
Mrs. H. M. iiunl. Baltimore, Md.
Mrs. II. ]•-. Hurlbut, Cleveland, O.
Mrs. John Ives, Meriden, Conn.
L. Howard Ives, Meriden. Conn.
Charles Eben Jackson, Middletown, Conn.
Robert Nesmitb Jackson, Middletown. Conn.
Alice Cary Johnson, Nyack, X. Y.
James Riley Johnson, D. D.. Nyack, N. Y.
Mrs. Ora Storm King. Liverniore. Ky.
Augusta 1'. Kingman, Northampton, Mass.
Edward Payson Kirby, Jacksonville, 111.
Samuel Hubbard Kirby, New Haven. Conn.
John Klingelhofer, Turlock, Cal.
Mrs. Harriet Jane Knight. Kingston. Wis
Abbie Knox. Cuyahoga Falls, o.
Mrs. Theodore R. Lake. Central City. Col.
Mrs. Maria Olivia I.e Brun, Montclair, N. J.
Mis. Ancetta Lewis. Middletown, Conn.
II. Wales Lines. Meriden. Conn.
Mrs. William H. Lockie. Rossie. N. Y.
Mrs. Almira Ranney Limine. North Troy. Yt.
Mrs. Frances Ranney Lybrand, Washington, i>
Caroline Hamilton Macniel. Buffalo. X. Y.
Mrs. Harriet: Cornelia Macniel, Buffalo, X. V.
E. A. Markham, M. D.. Durham. Conn.
Mrs. Viva Martin, Greenville. Ky.
Mrs. n. McBurney, Phelps, X. Y.
Sarah Stowe Merwin, Hart ford. Conn.
a. E. Merritt, Washington, D. C.
Mrs. Helen M. Munroe. Cortland. X. Y.
Mrs. A. J. Muzzy. Bristol. Conn.
Elizabeth Todd Nash, Madison. Conn.
Mr-<. i.yiiia I'.. Newcomb, Xew Haven, Conn.
Catherine M. North, Berlin. Conn.
\ow York Historical Society, 1 TO I'd Ave.. Xew York City.
Mrs. Elizabeth Hamlin Olmsiead. Pasadena, Cal.
Mrs. Vesta C. Owen, Dtica, Kentucky.
Seth Paddock, Cromwell. Conn.
Mrs. 1». E. Penfleld, Warren. Mass.
Mrs. a. x. Pierson, Cromwell, Conn.
Frederick Solomon Pinney, West Haven, Conn.
Mrs. James P Piatt, Meriden, < !onn.
Margery Piatt, Meriden, Conn.
Mrs. Cornelia I'onieroy. Graham. N. < '.
Mrs. Miir.v Butler Price, Dtica. \ v.
I) B. PrOUt Ashland. X. V
*Mrs. Emma Snow Puffer.
INDEX
82'S
Ranney, Benjamin Willis,
359
Benjamin Wood, 450, 49S
Bennie Harrison, 483
Bernard David, 270
Bernice, 275, 374
Bernice C, 300
Bertie D., 2S0
Bertha, 275, 375, 419
Bessie, 446
Bessie Grace, 364
Bethina Melvina, 505
Betsy, 171, 204, 210,
265
Bildad, 262
Blanch Edith, 387
Blanche Lenore, 384
Blanche Taft, 424
Bliss Martin, 412
Boivin, 780
Butler, 181, 208
Braddock, 262
Caleb Barnes, 194, 235
Calvin, 199, 219, 245,
247, 290, 625
Carl Albert, 285
Carl Hiram. 361
Carlton Wallace, 283
Carleton Allen, 411
Carol Cecilia, 381
Caroline, 188, 191, 293,
317, 319, 336, 351,
415
Caroline Amelia, 216,
276
Caroline Celinda, 217,
2S6
Caroline E., 357
Caroline Hamlin, 290,
395
Caroline Wall. 240, 30S
Carrie Eliza, 466
Carrie Eloise, 364, 464
Carrie Eva, 280
Carrie L., 451
Carrie May, 364, 780
Cassius M., 286
Cassius Wells. 275, 373
Catherine, 209, 779
Catherine Elizabeth,
225
Catherine Maria. 390
Cecil Justin, 384
Cecilia, 468
Celia Elenora, 270
Charles, 190, 225. 226.
240, 245, 247, 262. 265,
292. 353. 362. 393
Charles A.. 395
Charles Allen, 353, 454
Charles Anson, 260
Charles Caton, 235
Charles Clinton, 2SS, 387
Charles Clyde, 445
Charles David, 285
Charles Dexter, 285
Charles E., 280
Charles Ebenezer, 269,
366
Charles Edward, 279
Charles Francis, 2S7
Charles Freeman, 312,
410
Charles Garfield. 367
Charles Gibbs, 430
Charles Hall, 318, 416
Charles Henry, 331,
360. 504
Charles Herbert, 322
Charles Horatio, 227
Charles James, 294
Charles Keith, 394
Charles M., 236
Charles Percival, 273,
370
Charles Sullivan, 313,
411, 412
Charles Sumner, 351,
421, 44S
Charles Thomas, 352,
450
Charles William, 295,
397
Charlotte, 190, 266, 269
Charlotte A., 216
Charlotte Eliza, 279.
37S, 779
Charlotte Ella, 235,
304
Charlotte M., 269
Charlotte Sophia, 268,
366
Charlotte W e s t c o 1 1.
488
Chauncey, 216
Clara, 390
Clara Adell. 281
Clara Belle, 423
Clara Dill, 303
Clara Dunbar, 361
Clara Edna, 406
Clara Emily, 483
Clara Frances, 390, 472
Clara M., 286
Clara Maria. 356, 357
Clarence, 446
Clarence Jeremiah. 406
Clarence M., 323
Clarence Raymond, 422
Clarice Priscilla. 322
Clarissa. 204, 226, 263,
264. 355. 359. 401
Clarissa Gaylord, 230.
298
Clarissa Waters, 240,
307
Clark, 215, 244
Claude Evan, 445
Claude Joseph, 402
Clayton Newell, 363
Clementina, 353
Clifford Albert, 488
Clifford Horace, 457
Clifford Ira, 319, 421
Clifford J., 468
Chloe, ISO
Clyde, 483
Clyde Scotto, 484
Collins Bartholomew,
217, 280
Comfort, 182, 211, 267,
364. 465, 708
Comfort Sage, 224
Constance Ethel, 370
Cora Belle, 278, 307
Cora Eliza, 353, 454
Cora Sadie, 483
Cornelia, 273
Cornelia Alice, 370, 470
Cornelia C, 208
Cornelia L'Hommedieu,
301, 403
Cornelia Shackford, 235
Cornelius John, 340
Crawford, 318, 417
Curry Arthur, 421
Daisie Alice, 373
Daisy Gertrude, 341
Daisy May, 449
Dale Charles, 385
Daniel, 156, 157, 170,
174, 175, 182, 189, 200,
201, 210, 212, 249, 265,
279, 325, 350, 444, 515,
542, 697
Daniel Bristol, 258, 340-
Daniel Edward, 380
Daniel Holland, 249, 323
Daniel Stephen. 224
Daniel Wells, 216, 278
Daniel Whitcomb, 323
Darius Roswell, 323
Darwin Allen, 362, 462
Darwin Carter, 434
Darwin David, 364
Darwin Evander, 330.
434
Darwin Harlow, 254.
432
David, 182, 1S3. 212,
240, 266
David Francis. 297. 399
David Gardner, 227. 29T
David H., 314
David Handy. 212
David Seth. 185
824
INDEX
Ranney, David Stocking,
191, 227
De Elbert, 258
Deborah, 155, 165, 533,
626
Delia Ann, 208
Delia Austin, 450
Delia Rebecca, 322
Desire, 162, 746
DeWitt Clinton, 217,
285
DeWitt Lafayette, 448
Dexter, 262
Diana, 1S9, 217, 284
Dolly S., 214
Donald Forester, 381
Doe Oren, 381
Dora Elgin, 3S0
Dorcas, 213
Doris, 378
Doris Edith. 377
Dorothy, 162
Dorothy Ethel, 4lo
Dorothy Louise. 383
Dudley Porter, 437
Earl, 412
Earl D., 367
Earl Eugene. 377
Eben Francis, 279
Ebenezer, 153, 154, 157,
160, 171, 172, 186, 192,
213, 683. 711. 735
Ebenezer Goodhue, 316,
414
Edgar Allen, 284
Edgar Warham. 362
Edith Angle, 434
Edith Eliza, 417
Edith Josephine. 370,
470
Edith May. 411. 484
Edith Sarah. 361
Edna Elizabeth, 286
Edna Josephine. 431
Edna L., 448
Edna Lelian. 377
Edson TTipKins. 313. 410
Edward, ICS, 263, 779
R.hviirrt Allon. 217. 283
Edward Ellioott. 359.
459
Edward Forpuson. 257
Edward Gonrpo. 365
Edward TT.. 314
Edward Nnrris, 330
Edward Wlllett, 257
Edward Willis. 354, 166
Edwin. 216. 274. 353
Edwin C, 235
Edwin Darwin. 434
Edwin E.. 262
Edwin Francis, r~
Edwin Granville, 400
Edwin 11
Edwin Hiram, 291, 300,
392 •
Edwin Jesse, 353, 452
Eleanor Mary, 337
Eleazar llarlow, 202
Eli, 1S7, 218
Elijah, 168, 174, 175,
l&G, 199. 200, 246, 247,
Elijah Bradford, 245,
247, 317
Elijah Crawford, 316,
413
Elijah Warren, 213, 270
Elisha, 192
Eliza, 197, 217, 226, 274,
281
Eliza Ann, 263, 355
Eliza Samantha, 26S
Eliza Serena, 244
Eliza Susan, 477
Elizabeth, 150, 157, 158,
164, 165, 167, 187, 194,
199, 200, 240, 244, 247,
248, 267, 306, 351, 352,
374, 407, 641. 711
Elizabeth Ann, 214
Elizabpti- Rurden, 33V
439
Elizabeth Ellen, 250
Elizabeth Evelyn, 218,
289
Elizabeth Giboney, 307
Elizabeth Gilchrist, 225,
290
Elizabeth Gridley, 301,
402
Elizabeth Jane, 363
Elizabeth Jerusha, 268,
365
Elizabeth Marlon, 424
Elizabeth Nott, 230
Elizabeth Sophronia.
410
Elizabeth Sybil, 330.
432
Elizabeth Welles, 188,
630
Elizabeth Wilcox, 19S
Ella, 359
Ella Frances. 424
Ella Isabel, 356. 457
Ella LeMlra, 356
Ella Luthera 313. 412
Ella Mary, 2^o
Ella Melissa, 3S1
Ella. Raohol. 384
Ellen. 216. 31S
Ellen \.. 319
Ellon Catherine, snr,
Ellon Davis. 23<!
Ellen Elizabeth, 362
Ellen Frances, 409
Ellen Francese, Jll
Ellen Howard, 361
Ellen Jane, 280
Ellen Laura, 277
Ellen Sarah, 361
Ellis Wilbur, 451, 498
Elmerina, 203, 244
Elsie Fay, 284
Elsie Josephine, 319,
420
Elsie Minnie, 411, 485
Elvie Grace, 454
Elvira Ann, 270
Emeline Amelia, 323,
424
Emily, 216, 262, 263,
351, 370, 444
Emily, Adams, 242
Emily Adele, 369
Emily Jane, 295
Emily Maria, 21S
Emily S., 274
Emily Sprague, 296
Emily Stocking, 214
Emir, 303
Emma Bell, 307
Emma D., 361
Emma Eliza, 460
Emma Gerauld, 334
Emma Jane, 309
Emma Jeannette, 258
Emma Lovica, 278
Emma Snow, 319, 417
Emma White, 394
Emory Dayton, 356, 457
Ephraim. 162, 174, 175,
198, 199, 215, 244, 747,
750
Ephraim Clark, 312
Ephraim Fess e n d e n,
245
Erastus, 262, 352
Estelle Isabella. 362
Esther. 150, 159, 160,
162, 175, 181, 1S5. 201.
202, 209. 224, 247, 263,
332, 640. 696
Esther Belle, 484
Esth.-r Jane, 2."0. 328
Ethel, 437
Ethel Pay. 285
Ethol Maria, 462
Ethel May. 3S4. 446
Ethel Sawyer, 426
Eugene Alfred, 817
Eugene Earl, 377
Oliver, 312
Eugene Sullivan, 410,
4S4
Eunice, 167, 186, 2m
INDEX
825
Ranney, Eunice Eliza
Jane, 454
Eunice Frances, 504
Eva, 456
Eva Belinda, 279, 379
Eva Elsie. 431
Eva May, 366, 468
Eva Viola, 284
Evander Burwell, 329
Evander Willard, 254,
329
Everett Alonzo, 380
Everett Levant, 358
Fanny (Fannie), 244,
247, 309, 316, 457
Fanny Dudley, 394
Fanny Goodhue, 316
Fanny Root, 245
Fayette, 489
Fayette Silas, 324, 426
Fern, 375
Fern Frances, 385
Fitch Winchester, 298
Fletcher, 169, 1S7, 332,
436, 630
Flora Adaline, 274
Flora Ann, 287, 3S3
Flora H., 314
Flora Lucy, 483
Flora Maud, 423
Florence, 351, 399, 447.
464, 502
Florence Augusta, 462
Florence Edith, 4S8
Florence Isabelle, 44S
Florence Mary, 411
Florence May, 417
Florence Minerva, 235
Floy. 398
Floyd Franklyn, 377
Forest Cecil, 380
Forest Clifton, 427
Frances, 351
Frances Hamlin, 399
Frances Harris, 297
Frances Lilla. 329, 431
Frances May. 277
Frances Sophia, 254. 335
Francis, 181, 209, 265,
361, 504, 575
Francis Gardner, 400
Francis John, 379
Francis Leroy, 280. 379
Francis. Lyman, 361
Francis Perego, 332
Frank, 375, 411, 456,
462. 484
Frank Addison, 487
Frank Barton, 374
Frank Davis, 449
Frank Edward. 283
Frank Eli. 218, 288
Frank Ellsworth, 427
Frank Emerson, 379
Frank F., 361
Frank George, 295, 399
Frank Herbert, 357, 458
Frank Homes. 460
Frank Merle, 378
Frank Millard, 2S8, 387
Frank Moses, 366, 467
Frank Russell, 484
Frank Warner, 278, 377
Frankie Helena, 384
Franklin, 217, 280
Franklin Be n j a m i n,
353, 454
Franklin Gardner, 227
Franklin Justin, 286
Franklin W., 279
Franklin Whitson, 445
Fred Albert, 357, 458
Fred Egbert, 366, 468
Fred Fayette, 426, 489
Fred Lincoln, 325, 430
Fred Oliver. 236
Fred Turner, 445
Fred Warren, 285
Freddie Birdie, 279
Frederic Charles, 366
Frederic Danforth, 296
Frederic Hamlin, 399
Frederic Lima, 295
Frederic Packard, 295,
399
Frederic Starr, 394
Frederick Tappen, 351
Frederic Alfred. 331
Frederick Bristol, 498
Frederick Chester, 455
Frederick Cushma, 486
Frederick Dean, 333.
437
Frederick Eli. 352, 450
Frederick Merrill. 335
Frederick Thorn p s o n,
262, 357
Freeman, 2 15, 312
Fremont, SI 8, 417
Gaither, 307
George. 153. 154. 166,
167. 171. 172, 173, 181,
196, 204. 208, 209, 211,
212, 220. 226. 247, 258,
263. 268. 292. 294, 303,
313, 318, 352, 396. 397.
411. 457. 575, 576, 582,
626, 730
George Arthur, 322. 424
George Asahel, 305
George Burtis, 284
George C. 227, 265. 292
George Clinton, 284
George D., 285
George E. r 265
George Edwin, 410. 453,
484
George Ellis, 288
George Emery, 363, 462
George Franklin, 280
George Frederick, 287,
383
George Goodwin, 357
George Graham, 462
George Henry. 280, 297,
331, 400, 462
George Julius, 380
George Lewis, 264, 336
George Olin, 484
George Stetson, 232, 303
George Wash ington,
227, 392, 505
George Wallace. 318
George Wells, 217
Georgia Priscilla, 465
Georgia na Grace, 377
Geraldine Calista, 324,
428
Germaine O., 314
Gertrude, 235, 401, 422
Gertrude A., 392, 504
Gibbs, 204
Giles, 210, ^65
Gladys Irene. 284
Glen Alden, 431
Glen Alfred, 3K4
Glen Allison, 375
Glen Earl, 448
Glen Johnson, 483
Goldie Truth, 384
Grace, 337, 439. 502
Grace Adel, 357
Grace Eva, 288
Grace Fern, 284
Grace Howes, 461
Grace I., 430
Grace Louise, 450
Grace Madaline, 392
Grace Mildred, 385
Grace Virginia. 487
Gracie Cora, 279
Grant Willis, 199, 246
Guy, 398
Guy Eugene, 283
Guy Leroy, 445
Hallie William, 477
Hamlin, 399
Hannah, 150. 155. 160.
167. 168. 181, 182, 187,
192. 193, 209. 211. 214.
232, 244, 262, 310, 352.
576
Hannah Cooper, 197.
238
Hannah Hook. 232
Hannah Jane, 232
826
INDEX
Ranney, Hannah Loretta,
379
Harland Gaylord, 460
Harley Austin, 325,
430
Harley Cross, 462
Harmon, 216, 218, 275.
287
Harmon Eugene, 283
Harold Cleveland, 303
Harold Frederick, 458
Harold Wells, 387
Harrie Walton, 392
Harriet, 211, 215, 226.
235, 262, 263, 266, 274,
326, 779
Harriet Alice, 415
Harriet Augusta, 297
Harriet Cornelia. 295,
398
Harriet E.. 213
Harriet Elizabeth, 235
Harriet L., 273
Harriet M., 291
Harriet Marion, 366
Harris Guernsey, 325,
430
Harrison Dayton, 235
Harrison Jackson, 264,
357
Harrison Smith, 458
Harrison W.. 235
Harry Albert, 411
Harry G., 314
Harry Joseph, 390
Harry Lee, 285
Harry Wilber, 445
Harry Willard, 337
Harvey. 187, 219. 248
Harvey Henderson, 217,
279
Hattle, 236
Hattie B.. 451
Hattle Jnno. 448
Hattie Minerva, 457
Helen. 228. 426
Helen. Amelia, 218,
2S9
Helen Burgess. 370. 470
1 1. ie,, Elizabeth, 458
Helen Gertrude, 369,
470
Helen Louisa (Louise),
254. 334. 413. 455,
II "
Helen Mabel, 341, 423.
441
Hi i' a Mary, 332
Helen May. 489
Hell Hitchcock, 248
Helyann, 246, 818
Henrietta Hunter. 334
TTenrv. 219. 220. 288.
292, 309, 313, 111.
434
Henry Charles, 362, 461
Henry Clay. 271, 312,
368
Henry Davis, 254, 331
Henry De Albert, 341
Henry Eugene, 316, 413
Henry Foster, 330
Henry Joseph, 290, 388
Henry Parker, 424
Henry Percival, 369
Henry Porteus, 248,
322
Henry Sargent, 341
Henry Sears, 264, 356,
456
Henry W., 291, 392
Herbert Carl. 411
Herbert DeLong, 387
Herbert Elmer, 488
Herbert Hathorne, 239,
307
Herman Ira, 488
Hermon. 288, 384
Herold Fayette, 489
Hettie Mabel, 307
Hezekiah, 169, 170, 189,
190, 226, 537, 626,
685
Hezekiah Bartlett, 266,
363, 462
Hiram, 199, 213, 215,
245, 264, 269, 360. 363,
504
Hiram IT., 269, 366
Hiram Mason, 216, 278
Hiram Elder, 285
Hiram Francis, 361
Homer, 246
Homer D., 314
Homer Cosmore, 317
Hope, 162
Howard, 217, 235, 273
Howard Austin. 363
Howard Newton, 454
Horace, 220, 264, 291,
358
Horace Peck, 356. 456
Horatio Gates, 191, 227
Huldah, 168, 170. 182,
212, 631
Huldah Evah, 380
[da Jane, 449, 456
Ida May. 270, 276, 279
[da Sophia, 387
[nez, 198
Inez Pauline. 3S4
Ira Allen, 203
Ira Clinton, 421
ira Patterson, 248, 319
Trene Stetson. 232. 303
Irinda Mary Eliza. 358
Irma, 375
Isaac, 255, 336, 337
Isabella, 294, 396
Isabella Crawford, 31S,
416
Ivy Marguerite, 434
Izah Daisy, 430
Jabez, 16S, 226, 295
Jabez Hamlin, 224
Jacob. 211
Jacob Lansing. 22»). 296
Jake Luther, 366, 468
James. L80, 192, 203, 230,
231, 255, 262. 300, 570,
588, 735
James Albert, 458
James Allen, 265, 362
James Burt, 449
James C., 466
James Dick, 225
James Hamilton, 351,
449
James Hervey, 400
James Joseph, 300, 401
James Knox Polk, 351,
445
James Mortimer, 301
James Packard, 276
James Parkham, 240,
307. 308
James Royal, 406. 183
James Stow, 294
James Sumner. 262. 351
James Waitstill, 254,
333
Jane, 216, 340
Jane Clark Qua, 330
Jane Elizabeth. 317
Jane Marian, 320
Jnno Nancy, 269
Jane Wilcox, 291
Janna. 1.75, 202, 203
Jay, 270
Jay Worthy, 2S6
Jeanette, 207, 259
Jennie Phebe, 313
Jennie Mary. 295. 399
Jeremiah. 155. 162, 168.
173. 186, 186. 196, 212.
216, 236. 237, 305, 406,
542, 697
JeSSO. 209, 262
Jesse Fred, Tsn
Jesse Otis. 119
Jessie. 457
Jessie Myra, 884
Joel, 17.".. 1^7. 201. 203,
214. 216. 211. 248, 219.
250. 2r,t. 2>-,r,. 274. 30!>.
325. 363, 780
Joel Alden, 250. 328.
431
Joel Arnold, 218, 322
Ranney. Joel Cyrus, ^74,
370
John, 150, 154, 155, 167,
168, 182, 1S5, 207, 214,
258, 265, 295, 575, 628
John Alden, 266, 363,
364, 465
John C, 227, 367, 469
John Caton. 307
John Charles, 406
John Franklin, 318
John G., 227
John Gayle, 306, 407
John Goodhue, 278,
376
John H., 274
John Hathorne, 197,
239, 240
John J., 295
John Jay., 279, 378
John Latham, 203
John Lewis, 213, 273,
368
John Lloyd, 431
John Lucius, 362
John Melvin, 380
John Mudgett, 235
John Reid, 4S9
John Rufus, 273, 370
John Sears, 363
John Sheldon, 216, 277
John Shackford, 234,
235
John Thompson, 303
John W., 280
John Waitstill, 331
John William, 379
Johnson. 196. 237, 238,
239, 305
Johnson Camp, 238,
306, 407
Jonathan, 156. 157. 171.
181, 191. 210, 211. 597
Jonathan Harris. 430
Jonathan Holland, 249,
325
Joseph. 150. 153, 155.
156, 157, 169, 188. 190,
200, 203, 209. 218, 219.
220, 224. 226 247. 254.
262, 292. 293, 537, 661,
668, 712, 726. 731
Joseph Addison. 24S,
320, 322. 423
Joseph Asahel. 305
Joseph Austin. 421,
4S7
Joseph Emerson. 320,
422
Joseph Jeremiah, 406
Joseph Herbert, 423
Joseph Lyman, 354, 455
INDEX
Joseph Marion. 406, 48
Joseph Norton, 273
Joseph Philo, 3S0
Joseph Preston, 322,
423
Joseph Root, 248
Josephine, 457
Johsephine Axtell, 430,
491
Josephine Evangeline,
380
Josephine Idella, 354,
456
Judith. 340
Julia, 214, 215. 227, 235,
261, 262, 266, 709
Julia A., 268
Julia Almira, 279, 378
Julia Ann. 291, 364
Julia Augusta. 393, 475
Julia Case, 399
Julia Eliza, 331
Julia Hannah, 284
Julia Isabel, 297
Julia Katherine. 369
Julia Kingsbury, 235
Julia Maria, 295, 398
Julia Sarah, 279
Julia Sturtevant. 322
Julius, 173, 197, 325
Julius Augustus, 197,
295, 398
Julius Butler, 309
Julius Caesar, 218. 287
Julius Harris, 326
Julius Henry. 305
Julius Merritt, 235,
304
Julius Sheldon. 280. 380
June Elizabeth, 498
Julius Austin, 427, 489
Justin Morse, 329, 431
Justin Worthy, 218.
286
Justina Belcher. 323,
425
Justine Warren, 288,
385
Karl Ostrander, 445
Kate, 390, 471, 475
Kate Hicks, 423, 488
Kate Maria. 393
Katherine Glen, 302
Katherine Huse, 412
Katherine Mabel, 410
Katherine Rebecca, 337,
439
Keith Irwin. 340
Kenneth, 382
Kenneth Wyrkoff. 488
Lafayette, 216, 254, 277.
278, 331
327
Lamira Corinthia, 276,
375
Larne Franklin, 284
..aura, 384
lura Albina, 232, 302
DMira Amelia, 305
Litea Dell, 322
Lau*a Maria, 268
Laurk Maxine, 450
LauraNMay, 4 1 1
Laura \5ophronia, 283
Laurenc\ Leroy, 462
Lauretta\ Mary Mar-
garet,
Leah Emrrio, 377
Leavitt, 31?
Lee, 398
Leila W., 3
Leland Mark,
Lelia. 295
Lelia Susan, 29S
Lemuel Sears, 26
Lena Julia, 455
Leo, 428
Leon, 382
Leon Austin, 448
Leon George, 450
Leonard, 216
Leora Sarah, 312
Leroy. 427
Leroy Burdelle, 462
Leroy W., 451
Leslie John, 411
Leslie Walton. 424
Lester, 207, 260
Lester Brodner, 260
Lester H., 457
Levi Marble, 323, 425
Lewis Francis, 362
Lewis H., 255. 336
Lewis Jay, 351. 447
Lewis Phelps, 255
Lewis Rufus. 274
Lilian Curtis, 400 '
Lillian, 264
Lillian Agnes, 364
Lizzie Ann, 307
Lizzie Emma, 449, 497
Lizzie Goodell, 461
Lizzie Shuck, 392
Lloyd Allen, 283
Lois, 169, 188, 192. 204
Lois Evangeline, 283
Lola Maria, 399
Lola Vaughn n. 384 1
Lora Mildred. 430
Loren, 215
Lorin Little, 244. 311
Lorinda, 502
Lotta Agr.es. 423
Lottie jnva, 410
Lottie Emily, 406
828
Ranney. Lottie S., 2-0
Louis Austin, 421
Louis i wold! 399
Louisa, 307, 356, 502
Louisa Content, : ^-
376
Louisa Jane, 505
Louisa Jane H/a w-
thorne, 235
I., lise, 398, 48'
I, .visa. 1-7, 215, 218,
288
Lovflfa Jah< 287, 3S2
Lowden Jo^n, 353
Lucia, 168
Lucia A*n, 324, 128
Lucinda - n|
Lucindi Holland, 249,
324
Lucius. 262, 264, 357
I uc j s Sila - 158
Luoetia, 170, ISO. 18S,
1.(0, 191, 211, 225. 261,
262, 346. 353, 545
L'jcy, 172, 177, 180, 181,
189, 197, 207, 210. 211.
330, 520. 626, 672
Lncy Aim. 177, 501
I, in y Bryant. 265
Lucy Inez, 130
Luella, 427
Luella Frank. 457
Luella S.. 466
Luke, 2-7. 361, 3Sr,
Luke F., 361
Lula A<la. .",-7
Lura May, 275, 371
Lurefla
Lurena M i < 150
Luther, 177. 182, 210,
266, i-i
Luther Bartlett, 266,
Luther Boardman, 268.
364, 465
Luther Carroll. 466
i ither J., 366
Luther Kel 164, 166
175, i ' 197, 199,
245 2 17. 265, 316, 317,
759
Lydia Jane, 216 276
Lydla Rebec a, 317,
115
Lydla Rosetta, !44, 311
Lydla Bophi
,yle Vance, 384
L: man. 1-7, 217. 2-0
l.yi,,,,, \.. 264
Lyman Crawford, 318
Lyman W.
Lynda Edll
l -yiui \ nd< i • 340
INDEX
Lysle J.. 449
Mabel, 434, 446, 457, 495
.Mabel Emily, 399
Mabel Gladys, 37S
Mabel Helen, 411
Mabel Wood, 450, 49S
Madge Margaret, 384
M.i.ii on, 264, 359
Mae Elizabeth, 457
Mae Ellen, 303
Ma rail. 170
Marce, 154
Marcella Edna, 467
Marcia Abbie, 353,
153
Marcus, 269
.Ma reus H., 46S
Marcus Hiram, 367
Marcy, 168
Margaret, 151, 154, 171,
192s 230, 450, 588
Margaret Estella, 270
Margaret Jeanette, 340
Margaret Myrtle, 406
Margarette, 490
Margery, 196
Marguerite, 302
Maria, 226
Maria Carr, 303
Maria Fletcher, 332
Maria. Kerr. 235
Maria Serena, 225, 294
Marian Charlotte, 363
Marie Bryan, 436
Marie Curtis, 400
Marietta Abigail, 477
Marinus, 204
Marion Elmer, 285
Marjorie, 399
Mark, 217. 317
Mark Joel, 329, 431
Martha, 168. 173, 185,
191, 193. 194, 216, 225,
236, 265. 292, 352
781
Martha Ann. 364
Martha Columbia, 330,
435
Mariba Cornelia. 258,
324, 341
Martha Danforth, 226
Martha Gile, 249, 324
Martha Lucille, 150
Martha Vandora, 324,
426
Martin. 219, 291
Martin IT.. 149
Martin Luther. 254, 291.
Martin fan Bt i
502
Marvin. 217
Mary, 150, 157, 15S, 166,
167, 168, 169, 170, 180,
181, 185, 1S6, 191, 196.
201. 207, 210, 214, 216.
218, 219, 220, 224, 226,
235, 249, 258, 264, 265,
283, 290, 293, 307, 330.
333, 336, 354, 360, 362,
407, 639, 66S, 673, 779
Mary A., 227, 235, 274.
275
Mary Adaline, 27-;. 376
Mary Alice, 322. 424
Mary Almira, 461
Mary Amelia, 306
Mary Angeline, 254, 335
Mary Ann, 215, 219, 246
273, 295, 297, 314, 351.
446
Mary Ann Arminda, 482
Mary Augusta, 334
Mary Butler, 258
Mary Clewell, 369
Mary E., 286
Mary Eliza, 280. 381, 3'.'0
Mary Elizabeth, 30,'. 318,
364. 406, H6
Mary Ella, 354
Mary Emily, 360, 498
Mary Emma, 360, 421,
1-7
Mary Estella, 393, 17",
Mary Ethel, 487
Mary Evaline, 287
Mary Evangeline, 283
Mary Frames. 333
Mary ( la vie. 238, 306
Mary IT.. 314
Mary Helen, 414, 486
Mary Henrietta. 351.
447
Mary .lane. 319, 879, 134,
502
Mary Jeanette. 421. 1-7
Mary Josephine, 270
Mary I... 21 1
Mary Louise, 361, 410
Mary Louisa Qua, 330
Mary Lueretia. 361
Mary Marguerite, 458
Mary Melissa. 293, 394
Mary Mil. Ire, 1. 341
M ii v Mine! ta. 357. 158
Mary Rosalind, 423
Mary Vera, 106
Mary Ward, 387
Maryette, 217. 269, 279
M itlld I, 248, 280. 319.
11-
Matllda Gertrude, 406
Matthew, 216
Matthias Guy, 296
Ranney, Mattie Florence,
276, 376
Maud, 307, 323
Maud Elmira, 4S4
Maud Esteline, 406
Maud Hepworth, 335,
43'8
Maud Josephine, 285
Maude Marietta, 379
Maurice Mason, 279
Maurice Morton, 270
May Inez, 323
Mercy, 151, 575
Mercy Ann, 311
Merritt, 304
Merritt Charles, 45S
Mildred, 375
Mildred Frances, 488
Mildred Mae, 284
Mildred Mary, 384
Millard DeWitt, 387
Milo, 217, 279
Milo B., 491
Milo Bingham. 324.
428
Milo Joseph, 455
Milo Miles, 329
Milo Wells, 279, 378
Minerva, 208
Minerva Caroline, 261
Minetta, 37S
Minnie L., 286
Morrell, 218
Moses, 193, 200, 201. 219,
225, 232, 249, 268, 290,
323. 365. 390
Moses Fred, 323, 468
Moses Harris, 249, 325
Moses Hook, 232, 302
Moses Willard, 326
Myra Chase, 337
Myron, 367, 504
Myron Hawley, 504
Myrtle May, 283, 302
Nancy, 211, 213, 266
Nancy C. 213
Nancy Deborah, 267
Nancy Jane. 218. 287
Nancy Stward, 233
Naomi, 167
Nathan. 173, 193. 194,
233
Nathan Allen, 303
Nathan Arms, 2^7.
3S4
Nathan Charles, 407
Nathan Cornelius. 305.
405
Nathan Howes. 362.
+60
Nathan Huse. 313. 412
Nathaniel. 152. 167. 182.
623
IXDEX
Xathaniel Cole, L9V
235
Nehemiah, 265
Nellie 323. 425, 430,
460
Nellie Blanche, 370,
470
Nellie Kate, 334, 437
Nellie Mary, 313
Nellie May, 284
Nelson Church, 417
Nettie, 446, 456, 495
Neva Maud, 457
Newman Clinton, 466
Newton C, 449
Nina E., 280
Nina Marion, 377
Noel De Lome, 384
Norman, 197, 208, 219,
261, 290, 323
Olive, 220, 227
Olive Branch, 305
Olive Eliza, 318, 417
Oliver, 177, 187, 197,
216, 241. 312
Oliver Anthony. 309
Oliver Franklin, 216,
27S
Oliver Kittredge, 236
Oliver Lyman, 218
Oliver Russell, 213.
270
Ophelia Ann, 279
Orange, 203, 244
Orcelia. 280
Orcelia Sophronia, 381
Ores, 213, 268
Ores Niles, 269
Orlo Bartholomew, 270
Orlo Melzar, 3S0
Orpha Bell, 283
Orrin, 204, 211, 267
Orrin D, 267
Orville Willett, 207,
260
Orville Wood, 260
Orvis Julius, 380
Orzelia, 218
Oscar James, 311
Oscar Jay, 281. 381
Oscar Minor, 285
Otis Lorenzo. 244, 311
Ozias. 167. 266. 363
Pamelia, 350
Patience, 189
Paul Elijah. 486
Paul Worthington, 393
Pauline Henrietta Lou-
isa. 26S
Pearl May. 503
Peleg Timothy. 504
Pennington. 346
Percival Kent, 340
391
*M
829
Perley Eugene, 484
Permelia, 323
Perry Calvin, 429
^Perry Sidney, 462
Persis, 181, 207, 209
\214
PWton, 199, 246, 314
l J liO)e, 193, 41L 484, 302
Pher* Anna, 279
Phebe. Atwood, 331, 436
PhebeYjstrander, 351
Philena\ 194
Philetus\248, 319
Philip, 29
Philip Tie\out, 340
Philo, 217,
Philo HarveV 381
Phineas, 171A192
Pliny Olin, 4li 4S3
Polinda Eliza, \291,
Polly, 197, 240, ^62
Preston Charles\~317
Priscilla Esther,^
419
Priscilla Minerva,
357
Prudence, 182, 214
Rachel, 157, 167, 171.
175, 182, 210, 266, 510,
59S, 655, 684, 705
Rachel May, 431
Ralph, 446, 456, 464, 496
Ralph Edwin. 458
Ralph Guerrant, 307
Ralph Henry, 356
Ralph Parker, 255, 336
Ralph Richard, 431
Raiis. an, 218
Ray Palmer, 42H
Raymond Ralph, 356
Raymond Robert, 3S4
Rebecca, 154. 165. 173,
174, 186, 188, 199, 219.
244, 245, 289, 310, 316,
529, 537, 644. 717
Rebecca Bucklen. 306
Reuben, 171. 186. 211.
249, 267, 324, 779
Reuben S.. 39S
Reuben Waldo, 324. 429
Reuel, 196
llheny, Packard. 399
Rhoda. 169, 186. 197.
246
Rhoda Harlow, 245. 3/4
Uiehard, 155. 168 j
Richard Atkins. 2?<>
Richard Garfield. 434
Richard W.. 273
Robert Alexander, 4^9
Robert Bristol. 340
Robert Burton. 275. 374
1.,,1,,.,-t Clifton, 307
830
U.-uuay. I: I'.. 304
Robert Giboney, 239,
306
Robert Ra nsora, 504, 5 c ->
Robert W., «9
Roberta. 307
Robin l 'liny, 483
k, 190, 2?J
Rodi . ick Ha tshorn,
l, 226. 295
Roderick Laming, 297
Roger Cliffon, 468
Rogej Lero?. 283
Roland, 226
Roland I Miry, 461
Rollin 11. yes. 322
Rollin V-, 504
Rollin Vallace. 248, 322
Rose, -!80
Roset'a Ida, 2S7, 383
Ross Emory, 457
RoF»vell, 201. 209, 249,
#4, 322, 360
I • iswell Valentine, 459
Rowland Robinson. 277
Roxana, 186
Roxy Grace Ann, 311
Royal, 2.17. 305
Royal Francis, 305
Royal Gilbert, 305. 406,
407
Royal John. 311
Royal William. 406. 483
Rudolph. 278, 377
Rufus : "■:
Rufus Henry, 274
Rufus Percival, 211.
271. 272. 368, 170
Rupert A ubrey, 461
Russell, 245, 247. 316,
750
Russell Ray, 384
Ruth, 161, 171. 192. 193,
210. 265. 292, 407. 461,
726. 710
Ruth Ann. 2
Ruth Eliza 153
Ruth Esthei 131
Rutl I
Ruih Hazel
Ruth Le r 268, 864,
467
Sabra, 263
Snhra Elizabeth, 324
S iloma Evaline, 2SS.
S*lly, 187, 192, 210.
Ball 424
Balvador, <<r< r.o
Samuel, 15S 245 247
262. 315
INDEX
Samuel All* n, 263,
354
Samuel B.. 292
Samuel Eugene, 414,
486
Samuel Hall. 209, 261,
351
Samuel Henry, 316
Samuel Owen, 358
Samuel Roberts, 394
Samuel Root, 248
Samuel Ward, 188, 189,
225, 290
Sarah, 160, 172. ISO. 188,
204, 209, 220, 249. 271.
292, 401, 673
Sarah Agnes, 395
Sarah Amelia. 263, 354
Sarah Ann Virginia,
305
Sarah Cornelia, 274
Sarah Eliza, 296, 450
Sarah Ette, 216, 275,
281, 374
Sarah Florilla, 268
Sarah Francs. 117. 439
Sarah Gertrude. 422
Sarah Jane, 351, 417,
44S
Sarah Janette, 2'-7, 282
Sarah Keith, 390
Sarah Kinney, 220, 293
Sarah Leight, 359, 459
Sarah Maria, 244, 364,
780
Sarah Marie, 465
Sarah Mehitable, 295
Sarah Pennington. 316
Sara Sage, 22 1. 22:.
Sarah Shepherd, 267,
346
Scotto Clark, 313. 410
Seld< a. 219
Sellna Roxana. 119, 420
Seth, 168, 180, 204
Seth P.. 295
Seymour Phllo, 281, 381
Shailer Arnoll
Sheldon, 217, 275, 174
Silas. 211. 219. 323
Silence, 175. 200. 201
Silence Wilcox. 198
Simeon, iss. 219. 642
Solomon. 171. 191. 196
Sophia, 202
Sophie, 359
Leigh! 158
Sophronla. 207. 217. 25S.
266. 282
Sophronla Harriet, 864
Stanley Burton, 608
Stella, 341
Stella Eliza, ill. 4:;:,
Stella Laurenza, 254,
330
Stella Philena, 484
Stephen, 168, 169, 173,
186, 188, 189, 194, 196,
1!<7. 198, 214. 220. 233,
237, 239, 244, 303, 630,
728, 779
Stephen Augustus. 225
Stephen Chandler, 244,
310
Stephen Church Adams,
302
Stephen Eleazar, 254,
333
Stephen Franklin, 305
Stephen Steward, 232,
302
Submit Hand, 163
Sullivan. 245, 312
Sullivan IV. 246
Susan. 197. 212
Susan A.. 105. 405
Susan Beach, 217
snsan Clark, 291, 396
Susan Eleanor. 421
Susan Eliza. 396
Susan 1-71 ta. 303
Susan Manderson, 426,
188
Susan Ruth, 406
Susan Sophia, 460
Susanna Elizabeth, 307
Sybil, 157, 170. 171. ISO,
186, 206, 512. 59S. 599,
627
Sylvester. 191. 227
Sylvester William. 274.
780
1 401
Thaddeus Thorndike,
101
Thankful. 161. 165
Tl lora, in. -in
x .. Thomas. 143.
Ill lis. 1 19, 150, 152.
I 162, 171. 181, 19S,
209. 264, 581, 607, 616.
627 668, 679, 680, 717.
711.
Thomas Kerr, 4*9
Thomas N< ale, 238
Mock, 126
Thomas Stow, 171. 193,
197, 232 "12. 301
Thomas Willard, 182
Thorndike Allen, 213.
80S
Timothy, 168, 185. 187.
220. 292, 191. 675
Ranney, Timothy Addi-
son, 321
Timothy Alonzo, 216,
276
Timothy Berry. 504
Timothy Emerson, 24S,
252, 319, 320
Timothy Pickering, 267,
346
Timothy Taylor, 320,
422
Tirzah Eaton, 310
Titus, 292
Vera. 3S2, 4S4
Vera Evelyn, 285
Verne Alonzo, 453
Vernon Burtis, 380
Vesta, 192
Vesta Frances, 455
Victoria Jeannette, 331,
435
Virgil Waitstill. 311
Viva Inova, 380
Vivian May, 477
Von T.. 314
Waitstill, 174. 175, 201,
332
Waity Charlotte Almira.
358
Wallace Austin, 324,
127
Wallace Farwell. 322
Walter Daniel. 422.
488
Walter Howard, 3S0
Walter Keney, 449
Walter Lafayette, 331
Walter Lyman, 452, 455
Walter Roy, 423
Walter Warren, 31S
Walton Earle, 392
Warren, 269, 271, 367
Warren Davis, 238
Warren Ezrum, 217.
284
Warren Kingsbury, 367
Warren Rudolph, 37S
Wathen, 307
Wells, 1S7, 216
Wilbur Francis, 393
Wilbur Taylor, 428
Wilfred Irene, 384
Willard, 182
Willard Parmenter, 431
Willett, 148, 153, 154,
163, 164, 165, 166, 178,
ISO, 206, 207. 257. 510,
514, 627, 717. 721
Wiliest Brewer, 340
Willett George, 340
Willett Phineas, 258.
INDEX
William
, 174, 175, 1S3,
1SS, 192, 197, 198, 209,
211, 214, 216, 219, 220,
226, 230, 244, 262, 264,
291, 293, 298, 300, 325,
347. 401, 407, 502, 503
William
Addison, 319,
421, 487
William Adolphus, 216
William
Alexander, 239,
306
William
Bradford, 312,
410
William
Caton, 197, 238
William
Chisholm, 297
William
Cornelius, 405,
483
William
Crossley, 214
William
Edwin, 351, 448
William
Ellis, 307
Wlliam
Erastus, 244,
311
William
Eugene, 313
William
Foster, 384
William Gaylord, 402
William
Henry, 227, 292,
461
William
Keith, 231, 292,
394
William
Milton, 213
William
Ostrander, 351,
444
William
Packard, 399
William
Silas, 3'96, 477
William
Stillwell, 228,
William Strait. 780
William Thomas, 306,
407
William W.. 293, 395
Wiliam Watson, 333
William Wells, 226, 288,
294
Willis, 264, 354, 359, 400
Willis Edward, 459
Willis Leland, 455
Willis Madison, 360, 459
Willis Nathan, 461
Winifred, 410
Winslow Clayton, 42S
Zanana, 208
Zenana Amelia, 261
Zenas Edwards, 292, 393
Zilpah Elizabeth, 325
Zilpah May. 430
Ransom, Amos, 578
Emma, 578
Manton, 577
Maria, 57S
Robert, 504
Rany, Sir John, 143
Rardon, A. W., 383
831
Leonora, 383
Ora, 383
Rash, Anna, 675
Rathbun, Priscilla, 212
Rattle, Elizabeth Good-
win, 565
John Cary, 565
Mary Stockby, 565
William, 563, 565
Wiliam James, 565
Rawson, Eliot, 701
Jessie, 523
Willis, 523
Raymon, Philura, 712
Raymond, Susan, 664
Raynard, Rev. M., 779
Rayner, Edward, 6S2
Thurston, 682
Rayning, Robert, 143
Reade, Albert Decatur,
351, 447
Arthur Huntington, 447
Dee, 447
Gertrude Louise, 447
Grace Myrtle, 447
William Stuart, 447
Reddisli, Adelbert Wil-
liam, 363
Clarence Victor, 363
Oscar Dudley, 363
Redman, Carl, 566
Edith M., 566
John W., 566
Melvin, 566
Murrel, 566
Reed, Amelia Jane, 781
Anne Franklyn, 7S1
Clara Isabel, 782
Corril, 781
Edgar Mortimer, 782
Edgar P.. 781
Elmer, 313, 412
Fayette S., 781
Frank F., 7S1
Helen, 7S1
James Corril, 781
Lester Harvey, 782
Levi, 193, 7S1
Lewis Weed, 781
Louis Mortimer, 782
Martin Van Buren, 502
Mary Ella, 412
Mertie E., 502
Muriel, 412
Nathan Ranney, 780
Reginald Ranney, 412
Richard Henry, 334, 437
Robert. 7S2
Holland Corril, 781
Rolland Leslie, 781
Reid, Effle Jane, 487
Remington. Eliza E., 273
832
INDEX
Remington, Rejoice, 297
Renny (Ranney), Symon,
143
Rensselaer, Stephen. 20S
Restine, Elizabetli Wil-
liams, 769
Prank Humphrey, 769
Harley Thompson, 769
Theodore Harmon, 769
Reston, Elizabeth Joce-
lyn, 663
William, 663
Reynolds. Adaline, 155
Emeline Margaret, 500
Nancy J. A., 687
Prudence, 611
Sally, 216
Susan, 216
Walter, 216
Rheny (Ranney), Thomas,
143
Rhodes, Hannah. 642
Jonathan P., 268
Melvina Louisa, 268
I'll. hums. 779
Thomas Edward, 779
Rice, Abigail, 278
C. A.. 568
Edith Wil.y. 606
Harriet, 715
Jean Augusta, 568
Lois Madge, 568
Capt. Thomas, 562
Rich. Jerusha, 229
Richard, Eleanora, 437
Octave, 437
Richards, Albert, 279
Albert Daniel, 27!»
\m:nnl;i. 336
Caroline, 407
Dora, 472
George Edward, 279
John, 677
Luther A., 336
Marilla, 604, 626
i Hiver, 604
dson, Ada Maria,
433
Alice Emma, 355, 425
Annie Wilson, 133
Clarence Marshall, 425
Elbert George, 125 ,
Whiting. 123
Frank Lee, 125
Fred Ranney, 125, 488
George, 323
George Hem
n ii. -,:::,
Hattie m.m I i
John Henry, 330, 182
.i.,i,,, Mack, 133
Mary, 226
Mary Emma, 425
Oscar, 263, 355
Roland, 226
William H.nry, 355
William Ranney, 433
Richmond, Alanson An-
drews, 353, 151
Albert Eugene, 452
Amy Amelia, 452
Arthur Elijah, 452
Burke Eugene, 452
Diadama, 353
Edna Louise, 452
Elijah, 262, 353
Erma Pauline. 452
Ethel Grace, 452
Everett, 452
Harold Earl, 452
Herbert Alanson, 452
Homer Herbert, 452
Irene Frances, 452
James Otis, 353, 452
Lora Luella, 452
Lorin Lincoln, 452
Marion, 452
Marjorie, 452
Nettie Aurelia, 452, 498
Ralph Elmer, 452
Ruth, 452
Wesley Lincoln, 452
Riddle, Elizabeth, 399
Ridge, Eliza A„ 568
Riggs, Ellen, 197
Grace E., 393
Riley. Abigail, 609. 614.
705
Amelia Aim. 617, 618
Ann. 614
Asher, »;i 1. 616, 62S
Calvin Erastus, 617
Eleanor, 615
I la I lie. 261
Horatio Sprague, 617
James, 616
Jam< - Wal on, ''.17. 618
Jonathan, 640
Joseph, 615, 770
Julius. 614
Lucrei I
Mahalie .lane. 618
Nathaniel, 61 I. 615, 627,
712. 747
Phoebe, ''.17
Roger, ''.i l
Rosetta, 614, 701
Samuel, 616
Submit, 616, >;i7. 620
Susan Ellis, ''.is
Tryphena, 61 i. 642
William Wiltshire, 53v.
617, 631
Kink, rrene M., 746
Nettie May. 746
Ruth M., 74f,
Risley, Jennie. 728
Kate M., 728
Leoni, 728
Prudence, 632
William Hollister, 728
William Mile--. 7L's
Roach. Jennie E., 643
Bobbins, Betsy, 206
Daniel J., 3S2
David Leroy, 382
Edward Franklin. 382
George Washington, 354
Guerdon, 662
Hattio Sophia, 35 1
Helen Cloy, 382
Irene Lillian. :>sj
John, 206, 766
Leroy, 382
Lucy Lilian, 382
Prudence, 766
Willi rd !•:.. 310
William. 3S2
William • Chamberlain,
310
William Frederick. 382
Roberts, Aaron, 169, 514,
659, 66!'. 716
Clarissa Johnson, 686
Giles, 514
Ida Elizabeth, (49
Lee Dudley, 449
Maria. 514
Ma rv, 659
Phebe, 256
Robertson, Aubrey 1 >oyle,
500
Catherine A.. 727
Ethel Dow, 500
Philip Adam, 47H. 500
Reuel Raynard, 500
Robert, 727
Robinson. 1 m \ Id, 595
Elizabeth A., 630
Eugene, 208
Mary. 161
Roche, Elizabeth Ger-
trude, 499
Rockwell, Eleazar Bing-
ham, 3-24
Elizabeth, 560
Joseph, 683
Lucia, "'-'t
Rodgers, Agnes, 369
Roe, Elizabeth, 121
\.i.ii.- Jacob, 159
Butler, .".is
■•■. 323
Ella Ranney, 159
i 1 !»0
CHARTER MEMBERS
Alvor M. Ranney, Hudsouville, Mich.
Alice M. Ranney, Groton, N. Y.
Alfred Patterson Rauney, Westminster West, Vt.
Anne Ranney, Pittsburg, Kan.
Arthur Edwin Ranuey, Springfield, Mass.
Barzillai Frank Ranney, Taberg, N. Y.
Charles A. Ranney, Hai'tford, Conn.
Charles F. Ranney. Newport, Vt.
Charles Garfield Ranney. Mohawk, N. V.
Charles Henry Ranney. Boston, Mass.
Comfort Ranney, De Witt. Mich.
Crawford Ranney, St. Johnsbury, Vt.
David S. Ranney, Moodus, Conn.
Earl Eugene Ranney, Cleveland, O.
Rev. Edwin H. Ranuey, Philadelphia, Pa.
Elizabeth Ranney. Jackson, Mo.
Eli W. Ranney, Greenville, Mich.
"Elijah Crawford Ranney.
Fayette Silas Ranney, Storm Lake, la.
Franc M. Ranney, New York City.
Francis Leroy Ranney, Algona. la.
Frank George Ranney, Rochester, N. Y.
Frederick Dean Ranney, No. Bennington. Vt.
George A. Ranuey, Cannonsburg, Mich.
George F. Ranney, Anaconda, Mont.
George G. Ranney, Chicago, 111.
Harriet A. Ranney, Chicago. 111.
Harris Guernsey Ranney, Pittsfield, Vt.
Herbert Hawthorne Ranney, Cape Girardeau. Mo.
Hiram H. Ranney, Mohawk, N. Y.
♦Harrison Jackson Ranney.
Henry Charles Ranney. Willliamsburg, Mass.
Henry Porteus Ranney, Putney, Vt.
Mrs. Hiram Mason Ranney, Northfield, Minn.
Howard A. Ranney. South Hadley, Mass.
James Parham Ranney, McMulleu. Mo.
Jennie P. Ranney, Concord, Vt.
Joel Cyrus Ranney, Ames, Kan.
Joseph Addison Ranney, Arkansas City. Kan.
Julia I. Ranney, Chicago, 111.
Keith I. Ranney. Cleveland, O.
Laura Ranney, Jackson, Mo. •
*Luke Frank Ranney.
Lynn A. Ranney. Cleveland, O.
Mabel Ranney, Los Angeles, Cal.
Mary Eliza Ranney. Penfield. N. Y.
Mary Gayle Ranney. Jackson. Mo.
Matthias Guy Ranney, San Antonio. Texas.
Nathan Huse Ranney, Marlboro, Mass.
Nellie M. Ranney, Concord, Vt.
Orlando B. Ranney. M. D.. Kalamazoo. Mich.
Perry C. Ranney, Elkhorn, Wis.
*Philip M. Ranney.
R. L. Ranney, Chicago, 111.
Raymond Ralph Ranney, Springfield, Mass.
v CHAETEB MEMBEKS
Reuben W. Ranney.
Robert B. Ranney, Cleveland, 0.
Sarah Kinney Ranney, Cleveland. O.
Willis Edward Ranney, Springfield, Mass.
William Stillwell Ranney, Cleveland, O.
Susan E. Ranney. Cleveland. O.
William Henry Ranney, Berry, N. H.
W. I.. Ranney, Orange, Mass.
*W. S. Ranney.
William W. Ranney, Austin. .Minn.
Willis Leland Ranney, Springfield, .Mass.
Mrs. Frances Elizabeth Risley, Hartford, Conn.
William M. Risley. Hartford. Conn.
i lyrus Root, Laurel, Mil.
Mrs. Nettie Ranney Rossman, Paola, Kan.
A. B. Sage, Sheffield, Mass.
George H. Sage, Hartford, Conn.
Ira Yale Sage, Sr., Atlanta. Ga.
John Hall Sage, Portland. Conn.
Mrs. P. E. Sanford, La Grange, 111.
E. A. Savage. Southampton, Pa.
Charles C. Savage, Philadelphia. Pa.
Mrs. Emma D. Schenk. Maywbod, 111.
Chloe Savage Seymour, Kenwood, N. Y.
P. A. Short. Grove City, Pa.
Mrs. Frederick Simmons, Sanquoit, X. Y.
Mrs. Isabelle Sage Sloan. Hartford. Conn.
II. N. Snow. Durham, N. C.
a. < '. Smith. Livermore, Ky.
George Richmond Smith. Cromwell. Conn.
Mrs. Howard Smith. Watertown. Conn.
Jackson Wblcot Sparrow, Cincinnati, O.
Mrs. Maud Ranney Starkweather. Ash Fork, Arizona.
Mrs. Spencer Solomon Steele, Beloit, Wis.
W. II. Stephens, Lowville, N. Y.
C. A. Stephens. Cincinnati. O.
Mrs. Charles II. Stevens, St. Johnsbury. Vt.
Rev. Charles Elliott St. John, Brookline, Mass.
Rev. Amer M. Stocking, Onarga, 111.
Charles II. Stocking, New York City.
Mrs. i;. s. Taft, Burlington, Vt.
Mary Kingsbury Talcott, Hartford, Conn.
Mrs. I. aura Butler Taylor. Louisville. Ky.
Mrs. I. N. Terry. Uti.a. X. Y.
•Mrs. Priscilla E. Throne.
•John l>. Tibbits.
Mrs. .John Henry Trent. Brooklyn, N. Y.
Mrs. Joseph R. Walden, Spruce Corner, Mass.
Mrs. William A. Waterbury.. Xew Haven, Conn.
Mrs. Caroline A. Wheeler. Northport, L. I.
Aaron Johnson White. Hammond. La.
A. l. White, Peirce City, Mo.
Anna M. White, I'tica. X. Y.
Anna s. White, Waterbury, Conn.
Charles Carroll White, Utica, X. Y.
CHARTER MEMBERS
Cornelia B. White, Utica, N. Y.
Delancey P. White, Utiea, N. Y.
Florilla M. White, Utica, N. Y.
Henry Hohart White, St. Paul, Minn.
Hugh White, Utica, N. Y.
H. Lawrence White, Utica, N. Y.
Isabel White, Utica, N. Y.
John Dolbear White, Utica. N. Y.
Mary I'. White. Utica. N. Y.
Richard Allyn White. Greenwich, Conn.
William Pierrepont White, Utica, N. Y.
William Roland White, Westfield, Mass.
Mrs. H. K. Wight. Indian Orchard, Mass.
F. B. Wightman, New Rochelle, N. Y.
Henry White Wilcox, Winsted, Conn.
Marius W. Wilcox, Middletown. Conn.
F. H. Williams, M. D., Bristol. Conn.
Frances Hart Williams, Bristol. Conn.
Mrs. Idella M. Williams. Winsted. Conn.
J. G. Williams. Holland Patent, N. Y.
Anna F. Willis. Canon City, Col.
Mrs. Frances M. Willis, Colorado Springs. Col.
Stanley J. Willis, Cripple Creek. Col.
James P. Wilson. Youngstown, O.
Mrs. James S. Wilson, Concord. Mass.
Mrs. Martha E. Wood, Shelburne Falls, Mass.
Mrs. L. Jerome Woolsey, Rochester, N. Y.
Rodney P. Wright, Cambridge, Mass.
HISTORY OF
MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
,
HISTORY OF
MIDBLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
The Settlement
Hardly had the Puritans been settled in and around Boston
than there was a disposition to swarm, after the manner of bees.
The Connecticut Eiver had been discovered both by the Dutch
and the English. The former established themselves at Saybrook
on the west bank of the river at its mouth, and at Hartford on
the west bank at a place still called " Dutch Point." In 1633
William Holmes, with a party of colonists, sailed up the river,
bringing with them the frame and other materials which they had
prepared for erecting a house. When they reached Dutch Point
he found that the Dutch had built a light fort and planted two
pieces of artillery. Notwithstanding their threats to fire upon him,
he passed this fort, proceeded up the river six miles, landed on
the west side near the mouth of what is the Farmington Eiver, and
erected and fortified his house there. This, it is said, was the first
house erected in Connecticut.
During the summer of 1635 others came and planted settlements
at Windsor, Hartford and Wethersfield. In 1636 the population
was increased by the arrival at Hartford of the Eev. Thomas
Hooker and his congregation from Cambridge, 100 in all. A con-
gregation came from Dorchester to Windsor and another from
Watertown to Wethersfield. Courts were early established, the
first being held at Hartford, April 26, 1636 ; the second at Wind-
sor, June 7, and the third, September 1. These courts consisted
of two principal men from each town, and were invested with all
the legislative and judicial powers and functions of the colony.
The population of the three towns on the river and the garrison
at Saybrook had reached about 800 persons.
In 1635 John Winthrop, " Governor of the Eiver Connecticut,"
had reached Saybrook and built a fort. The Pequot Indians in
1636 laid siege to the fort and killed some of the inhabitants.
Thereupon a court was held at Hartford and steps were taken for
self-defense which meant the extermination of the Pequot tribe.
An expedition of ninety men from the three towns, joined by
friendly Mohegans under Uncas, descended the river to Saybrook
in 1637, attacked the Pequots at Groton and captured their fort.
Those who escaped fled to the westward but were pursued to what
is the southwest corner of the State and were captured.
4 MIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES
In 1638 a settlement was made at New Haven. On the 14th
of January, 1639, the free planters of Hartford, Windsor and
Wethersfield convened at Hartford and adopted a written con-
stitution, the preamble of which stated it was to preserve " the
libberty and purity of the Gospell and the regulation of civil af-
fairs." On the 4th of June, 1639, the free planters of Quinnipiack,
or New Haven, met and formed a civil and religious organization.
The former was a democracy under the guiding mind of the Rev.
Thomas Hooker; the latter was a theocracy under the Rev. John
Davenport. In 1639 Milford and Guilford were founded in the
colony of Now Haven, the one on the east and the other on the
west of, and both adjacent to, New Haven. In the same year
Fairfield and Stratford were founded under the jurisdiction of
Connecticut. In 1639 the commonwealth of Saybrook was founded
by Colonel George Fenwick. In 1644 the colony of Connecticut
purchased from Colonel Fenwick for £1600 the jurisdictional right
in the colony of Saybrook. In 1643 the colonies of Massachusetts,
Plymouth, Connecticut and New Haven formed a confederacy for
mutual safety under the name of the " United Colonies of New
England." Between 1640 and 1650 other settlements were made
on Long Island Sound.
As a consequence of travel by land and by water between Hart-
ford, Windsor and Wethersfield on the north and the settlements
on the Sound to the southward a knowledge was obtained of the
conditions of the land along the west bank of the Connecticut
River. Mattabesett >tood on high ground, at the parting of the
ways, fourteen miles south of the center of Hartford. To the
southeast the Connecticut River made a sharp bend, reaching
thirty miles to Saybrook, and along its bank was the primitive
road to Saybrook. To the southwest, and through a valley, stretched
the primitive roadway to New Haven. In 1639 the General Court
of Connecticut made record as follows:
"The mcnifold insolcncyes that have beene offered of Late
by the Indians, putt the Court iu mind of that wVh hath beene
too long neglected, viz.: the execution of justice upon the former
murtherers of the English and it was uppou serious consideracoD
and debate thought necessary and accordingly determined, that
some speed] course be taken herein, and for effecting hereof
it was concluded thai LOO men be Levyed and sent down to Mat-
tabeseckc, where several! guilty persons reside and have beene
harbored by Soheage, notwithstanding all means by way of
persuation have beene formerly ^^^A to him Eor surrendering
them upp into or hands; and it is thought fit that these COUU-
HISTORY OF THE UPPEE HOUSES 5
sells be imparted to or friends at Quinnipi [oekc] that prvition
may be made for the safety of the new plantacons, and npon
their joynt consent to precede or desist."
Sowheag had resided at Wethersfield, and after selling that t ract
to the settlers there had removed to " Mattabesecke." Pequots had
gone up to Wethersfield, killed six men and three women, had
carried away two girls, and had taken refuge with Sowheag at
Mattabesett. This tended to increase the trouble, but the Xew
Haven colony did not accept the invitation. In consequence of
these disturbances no effort had been made to effect a settlement
at Mattabeseck.
October 30, 1646, " Mr. Phelps is appoynted w th the Com m ittee
for the planting Matabezeke," a name written in various ways.
"Mar. 20, 1649-50 And Sammuell Smith senior, of Wethers-
field, to the Comittee about the lands at Mattabeseck, in the roome
of Jeames Boosy." This committee reported that these lands
might support fifteen families. From the lower part of Wethers-
field, first known as Stepney and now as Bocky Hill, to Middletown
proper there was but one place where the land on the bank of the
river was suitable for a settlement. This one favorable location
had high land from north to south of about one hundred rods,
ending in a swamp at the north end, while on the south the land
was too low for habitation for a distance of a stretch of two
miles to the Sebethe, or Little River. Westward there was a
swamp, making a ridge of one hundred rods in length and eighty
rods in width. South of the Sebethe the land is elevated and was
most favorably situated for a settlement. Half a mile back from
the river rose " Indian Hill " where Sowheag had his wigwams.
In 1650 settlements were begun " north of the riverett," some-
times written " riverlet," and also " south of the riverett." The
former in the records is termed "the north side." In 1707
Samuel 3 Wilcox bought of George 3 Stocking the homestead of the
deceased Samuel 2 Stocking, situated in " uper houses."
The general court of 1651 stated :
" It is ordered sentenced and decreed that Mattabeseck shall
bee a Towne, and that they shall make choyce of one of theire
inhabitants according to order in that case, that so hee may take
the oath of a Constable, the next convenient season.
" It is ordered that Mattabeseck and Norwaulk shall be rated
this present year in their proporcon, according to the rule of
rating in the"Country, for theire cattle, and other visible estate,
and that Norwaakk shall present to Mr. Ludlow, and Mattabe-
MIDDLETOWN CTPPEE BOUSES
seek to Mr. Wells, in each Towne one inhabitant, to bee sworne
by them Constables in theire severall Townes."
In 1652 the General Court authorized Thomas Lord of Hart-
ford to act in all the towns " both for setting of bones and other-
wise, as at all times, occasions and necessities may or shal require."
His fees were fixed. "To any house in Mattabeseck, eight shil-
lings
*6&*
PLAR OF
MIDDLETOWN
WORTH OF THE RIYERET"
Sfe^r
Prom September, L652, to September, 1653, and in May and
October, L655, William Smith represented the town in th<
eral Court : John Ball, Jr., in May, 1653; William Cornwell in
May and October, 1651: Thomaa Wefanore in September, 1654;
Roberl Webster from September, L653, to May, 1655, in May,
and October, L656, in October, L657, in October, L658, and m May.
L695; George Grave from October. L657, to October, L658; Samuel
Stocking, ten sessions from May, L658, to October, 1681. Nathan-
HISTORY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 7
iel "White was almost continually a member from October, 1659, to
October, 1710, his death at 82 occurring in August, 1711. William
Smith was the first land recorder and the first page of volume one
is a fair sample of his style of penmanship. His home lot was the
property now occupied by the Catholic church in Middletown.
Robert Webster was appointed recorder in 1654.
Nov. 23, 1653, "This Court approueves that the name of the
Plantatyon commonly caled Mattabesick shall for time to come
bee Middelltowne."
In 1652 a log church was erected, by the side of the home lot
of Thomas Allyn, where now stands the huge boulder with its
bronze tablet erected at the time of the celebration in 1900 of the
250th anniversary of the settlement of the town. But this " set-
tlement " included the " north side " as well as the " south side,"
and these twins were not disjoined till 1851, when the " north
of the riverett " became the town of Cromwell.
The settlement "north of the riverett" bordered on the river
as far as high land extended. The street running north and south,
now known as Pleasant Street, was 38 rods back from, and parallel
to, the river and 78 rods in length. There being a swamp north
of Nathaniel White's, a low meadow south of Savage's, Bloom-
field's, and Martin's, and a swamp west of Pleasant Street, an
engineer must have located Pleasant Street; for during the times
of high floods this settlement became an island. Five three-acre
lots were set off on the east side of Pleasant Street, and the same
quantity to White, Savage, Martin and Bloomfield. Later a
two-acre lot on the west side of Pleasant Street was granted to
each of the five residing on the east side of that street and the
same kindness was shown to the others by enlarging their " home
lots." Such was the extent of the provision for the settlers.
Lands in various directions were recorded as " grants " to the
settlers and almost from the first " Pistol Point, Little Meadow,
Dead Swamp, Round Meadow, Goose's Delight, Timber Hill,
Wolf Pit Hill, Boggy Meadow, Fur Neck, Hither Neck " were and
still are familiar names. s~i
Bv 1659 Webster and Grave had returned to Hartford, and
Smith and Treat to Wethersfield, the two latter on March 10, 1657,
having transferred their combined homesteads to John Wilcox,
who soon transferred it to Samuel Hall and removed to Dor-
chester, Mass., but returned a few years later. In 1653 the General
8 MIDDLETOWN DTPEK HOUSES
Court had ordered John 2 Wilcox to occupy his grant or find a
suitable substitute. John Kirby had purchased George Grave's
2 -acre lot on the west side of the highway. In 1655 a pound,
50 x 66 feet, had been located south of this lot in which stray
cattle were to be impounded. For several years no one came to
occupy the west side 2-acre lots of Webster, Smith, and Treat,
while Thomas Rany and John Warner had been granted the home-
steads of Grave and Webster, respectively, on the east side of the
highway. The next arrival was David Sage. On May 10, 1663,
the town meeting voted to him a " house lott on the other side
the riveret on the other side the Highway beyond the corner of
Goodman White his fence on the west side of the Highway to
Hartford, siding by Goodman Stockins lott soe much as may not
prejudice the Highway or outlett of the cattel which the Inhabi-
tants on that side shall determine and Bound According to their
discretion/' Instead of building on this grant David, who had
looked with longing eyes on Mary Kirby, preferred to locate next
to his prospective father-in-law. On May 9, 1665, there was
recorded to him twelve square rods " whereon his house standeth,"
a very limited area for a " house lott " in that day. Just before
that the town had "ordered that Robert Warner shall forthwith
see what the town hath suffered by David Sage's pulling down
the and so to get the town rited for soon as may be in that
case." The trouble seems to have been settled, for soon David is
given live acres from his "father," John Kirby, adjoining
In- -mall •• home lot" in exchange for that first granted to Mr.
Sage " "for a home lot." John Kirby in time established his son
Joseph thereon. In 1695 Joseph sold it to Nathaniel White for
his son Jacob and it remained in the White family till a few years
ago. David Sage had pre-empted the town pound of " twelve square
rods " and had to settle for so doing.
On Dec. 23, 1663, the town granted to Thomas Hubbard " five
acres for a home lot and five acres additional where will be most
convenient for him and not inconvenienl for the bown, he ingaging
to build upon it and not to make sale of it till he hath inhabited
ears." The committee, WTiite, Warner and Stocking,
Located it mi tin* three '.'-acre lots which had been granted to Web-
ster, Smith and Treat. He built his house on the southeast cor-
ner. Wilcox, in L657, had sold his Smith-Treal purchase to
Samuel 2 Hall (John), and, it is said, had removed to Dorchester,
Mass., bul had returned, for on V>\. l. I <;(;."> Hubbard deeded to
him three acres and one house "where .1. Wilcox occupieth."
While Hubbard did not observe the four-year limit, it may be
thai as he had built his own house near the southeasl corner of
HISTORY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 9
his lot, it was considered that he had not violated the spirit of the
grant. His 1663-4 well-curb now adorns " Stocking Triangle."
On Nov. 6, 1666, the settlement seems to have reached its
limit, for it extended Samuel Stocking's 2-acre west side lot to be
9 acres, John Kirby's to 8 acres, and Thomas Hubbard's to 21
acres, " first given to Joseph Smith, Robert Webster and Matthias
Treat."
In March, 1666, there was granted to " Thomas Wetmore a
house lot for himself or son on the north side the riverlet next
to John Savage's swamp, abutting on the highway which comes
straight up to John Savage's between him and Thomas Hubbard,
abutting on John Warner's south and the highway west, to be
10 or 12 acres." Similar grants were given to Obadiah Allen and
Samuel Egelstone. But all sold out these rights without building
and it was scores of years before any houses were erected on these
grants.
The next addition of an inhabitant was Thomas Stow, Jr., to
whom on March 17, 1678-79 there was granted "a piece of land
at the rear of David Sage's and Deacon Stocking's and Joseph
Kirbie's on the north of that which was granted to John Wil-
cock's as the land will alow not prejudicing highways." The com-
mittee to lay it out was " Lieut. White, Deacon Stocking and
Samuel Hall." But as Mr. Stow's father-in-law, Deacon Stock-
ing, chose to build for his daughter, Mrs. Stow, on a tract on the
road, to Hartford next north of Nathaniel White's, Mr. Stow never
" improved " this grant. He sold it to John Caton, who failed to
improve it. The south part was sold by them to Samuel Gipson
and the north part became the cemetery of 1713. In 1687 Edward
Shepherd came for a bride in the person of Abigail 2 Savage and
he received a grant on the west side of the road to Hartford and
on the site of the present Congregational church. John Clark of
Haddam found a bride in the person of Elizabeth White, daughter
of Capt. Nathaniel White, and purchased the south half of the
original Thomas Hubbard place. He was son of William Clarke
of Haddam, who is recorded as having been servant to John Crow
of Hartford. He occupied till 1731 the house built in 1663-4
by Thomas Hubbard, and gave the property to his son John, who
became, 1737, the first settler in East Hampton on what is known
as Clark's Hill, where he lived to an advanced age, giving each
son a farm.
On April 29, 1669, it was "voted and agreed that on the north
side the river these lands shall lye coraon forever. This land
buteth on Thomas Hubbards home lot which the town voted him
for a home lot and David Sages and Samuel Stockings and John
10 MIDDLETOWN LTPPEE HOUSES
Kirbys and Thomas Hubbards east and on Thomas Wetmores and
Obadiah Allins and Samuel Egelstones land south and the Stony
brook [now Chestnut Brook] west, John Savage's wood lot north."
There had been great trouble in deciding as to how much land
each " inhabitant " was entitled and for some years the discussion
had waxed warm. Finally on —
"March the on and twentieth L670 or 71. The towne voted
and agreed to present there request and seek the help of Cap-
tayne John Talcot and Leif tenant John Alin in these pertieque-
lers, following
" first, conserning the true proprietours of the plantation
whether the present accepted inhabitants are not for to be ac-
counted who are or shal be esteemed inhabitants to whom the
propria ty_ of undivided lands belong unto.
"secondly, conserning the rule of the devision of undevided
lands, whither by poll or persons and estats, or by the contry
[country tax] list only, or some other way,'" and much more
to the same effect. "The Comity is Ensign White William
Cheney William Ward, John Wilcocke."
Captain Tallcott and Lieut. Allyn made an extended report to
which the inhabitants had in advance promised obedience, and
they reported "The nams of the proprioters of Middletown with
their estats, taken March 22 th 1670." Those residing ,v north of
the riverett" were:
Anthony Martine
£ 60-10
David Sage
068-10
Knsign White
L59-10
Samnell Stockin
113-10
Thomas Uany
105-00
John Warner
096-10
John Wilcocke
140-00
Samuel! Halle
130-00
John Savedg
129-00
Thomas Hubard
061-00
John Cerbys
088-10
The families of the children soon called for homesteads, so on
"Jan. 28, 1694 the inhabitants on north Bide shal] have liberty
to lay out eighl house Lots oot exceeding Eoui acres apiece in the
comon, on that side, as they among themselves shall see best."
On the l'.'tli of the 3ame month the town "confirmed their
grant to [Rev.] Mr. Russell to a piece of swamp land of ten
HISTOEY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 11
acres against hornet bay at the east end of that swamp and south
of the river, and that the remainder of that swamp land to lye for
a parsnage for the town til our neighbors on the north side doe
stand in need of it on that side for the use of their ministry."
This fine meadow lot of 27 acres is to-day the property of the
Cromwell Congregational Society, and in the days of the early
pastors it was a source of much annoyance, as may be seen later.
It adjoins " Goose's Delight." In 1673 and as late as 1750 very
extensive distributions were recorded. The " northwest quarter,"
now a part of Berlin, was to be divided among the " north side "
proprietors and their descendants, who also received extensive al-
lotments on the east side the great river. In 1721 there was a
great distribution of the Wonguuk meadows on the east side of the
great river and lot number 200 was set off to " old Cap White,"
who had died in 1711. By his will of August, 1711, one-fourth of
his undivided lands was to be for the " schools already established,"
and in 1745 this one-quarter of lot 200 was sold to his grandson
Hugh and the proceeds constitute to-day a part of the " local
school funds " of Middletown, Cromwell and Portland. To show
the slow progress of this distribution of outlying lands it is
here stated that while Thomas 3 Eanney had located a mile north
of the center of Cromwell on what is now known as the S. V.
Hubbard place and had raised a large family thereon, it was
not till 1742 that to Thomas 4 Eanney there was allotted the land
since known as Prospect Hill and which is nearer to the center
than the place on which Thomas i was born.
The Ferry Question
Traveling between Hartford and the settlements on Long Island
Sound made the ferry over Sebethe Eiver at Middletown a matter
of great importance. The Sebethe (Little) Eiver, the "riverett"
of the early records, empties into the " Great Eiver " nearly two
miles south of the Upper Houses settlement and is of the width of
an ordinary road. The crossing of it in those early days required a
ferry boat, and as early as 1658 it was voted " to make a new ferry
canoe 30 feet long 5 broad, inside to be made of the nut trees and
for which the town agrees to give John Hall 4 pds in coyne " ; and
a committee was authorized " to agree about keeping the ferry with
Thomas Allyn or any other man." Thomas was the nearest settler
to the ferry on the south side. When Thomas Hubbard came to
the Upper Houses a few years later, though he lived nearly two
miles from the ferry and the low meadow intervening rendered it
inconvenient to erect any house thereon, he seems to have coveted
12 MIDDLETOWN" UPPER HOUSES
the job. As every person from Hartford or the Upper Houses had
to pass his residence in going southward to Middletown it was
easy to give him notice of needing his services; but if he expected
to remain all day at the ferry to accommodate those from the
south bound northward he must have expected a lonely time. The
record reads: "Dec. ye-26-1667, Ensign White & Samuell Stock-
ing to present ye agreement with Thomas Hubbard concerning ye
keeping of ye ferry according to ye terms he gave in to ye town
meeting in writing."
Jho/nAsi A u fi/c*. r-u
As the sons of the founders had crossed the " great river " in
1709 and made a settlement, starting a " Society," which meant
the opening of a school and the erection of a church, it was im-
portant that there should be convenient ferry privileges, but the
first record is May, 1759. " On memorial of Daniel Brewer and
sundry other inhabitants of Middletown showing that there is a
need of a ferry across the Connecticut river from the building yard
in the north society called Upper Houses as appears by memorial
on file," etc., liberty is granted to Mr. Brewer and rates are estab-
lished. This ferry was established from a point some distance
above the building yard (ship yard) to what is now known as
" Indian Avenue " on the east side of the river, this " avenue "
being a road laid out where the first settlement was made on the
oast side, and on it to-day are some very ancient houses.
On Feb. 5, 1682-3, it was voted to build a " cart bridge over the
fery river," and in 1693 a contract was made with Francis Whit-
more " to erect and build a substantial stone bridge over the fery
river for carting over and ganging under itt." A dispute arose
as to the meaning of this vote and " Jan. 3 1699 or 1700 " the
town interpreted the meaning to be that lie must depend on volun-
tary contributions and that it should be a free bridge. He did
build, but litigation arose over it with his widow and on June 5,
17:31, the town appointed a committee "to protect the town's in-
terest as to the towns bridge over the ferry river or Rivereti with
the Whit mores or any other person or persons . . . and to
proceed from court to court" and much more like it.
In 1710 John Clark's boat at the ferry was allowed " 3' a week
in country pay"; voted, Jan. 15, L711-12 "to build a new boat
to be carryed on by the present townsmen." "Jan. 13-1712-13
voted a pence and half pence on the £ for town charges and to
purchase the Eerj houfl and to procure a Eery rope."
On Dec. 17, 1798, a committee was appointed to "view and
HISTOEY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 13
examine the bridge built over Little River by Mr. Elisha Stow
and agree with him." This was an open bridge which stood till
about 1840, when a covered bridge was erected and which stood
till 1783, when the present iron bridge took its place.
The Early Highways
On January 6, 1656, it was voted to lay out a highway "through
the West field," and White, Webster, Grave and Stocking were the
committee to do it within fourteen days. This was an extension,
westward from the river, of the highway between what were the
Savage-Martin-Bloomfield lots on the south side and what became
the Hubbard lot on the north side. It was to enable the settlers
to reach their outlying lands at Hither Neck, Fur Neck, Round
Meadow, Boggy Meadow, Goose's Delight and Timber Hill. It
was on the south side of this extended roadway that the allotments
heretofore named were made to Allyn, Eggelstone and Wetmore,
who never built on them, preferring to remain on the south side.
On April 29, 1669, this road was a subject of contention between
John Savage, who had bought the Bloomfield place, and Thomas
Hubbard who lived opposite, for on this day the town appointed
a committee " to settle the highway on the rivulett between John
Savage's land and Thomas Hubbards and to measure the street
at those houses to see if there be no incroachments and make re-
port."
The traveled track to Hartford could not have been much better
than a blazed pathway till Wethersfield was reached. On March
8, 1670, voted " the land lying on the north side the river between
the lots going to Hartford near the plains [upper Cromwell and
still known as " The Plains "] being laid for a highway shall lye
comon forever." Jan. 15, 1700 a committee, Hamlin, White
and Clark, are appointed to lay out a highway of 20 rods wide for
a country road across the plains to Wethersfield bounds as they
shall find most convenient.
On June 19, 1719, a committee was appointed to lay out and
state (stake?) the highway or country road across the plains to
Wethersfield bounds. The layout of the highway could hardly
have been satisfactory, as the granting of extensive tracts were
being made on unoccupied territory. In 1695 a tract of five hun-
dred acres in this section was granted to Nathaniel White, and a
stone marked " N. W. 1698 " still stands at its northwest corner,
while on the opposite side "J B " means that Joseph Butler was
given the land adjoining on the north.
April 23, 1725, a committee including Capt. William Savage
14 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
and Serg. John Sage was appointed " to see that all highways were
laid out as the record requires." On Oct. 1, 1725 this committee
reported they had laid out " a necessary highway on the north
side the fery river in Middletown where the present fery place
is now used, and hath been for many years, the S. W. corner
being a large elm marked to which tree the fery rope hath been
usually fastened too, in flood times and from sd tree northward
two rods wide where was pitched a stake and so to continue two
rods wide so far eastward towards the great river eight rods and
then one rod by the highway by the great river, 30 s to be pd the
owners of land taken." This was the original traveled path along
the river bank to the John Savage corner.
In 1725 there was laid out a road ten rods wide from the " n. w.
quarter," now East Berlin, to connect at the plains with the road
leading to Hartford. All that is now left of that 20 rod highway
to Hartford is the lane from north to south, just east of the August
David homestead. In 1770 and again in 1794 the town bought
strips four rods wide to extend the roadway of 1725 to connect
with the new road to Hartford. In 1802 a turnpike was laid out
by the Great and General Court from Hartford to Saybrook, to
be four rods wide except as otherwise named. It went generally
over the established highways, but from the north end of the North
Society, at a point near the house of Gershom Butler, it left the old
road and went through the fields for a distance of a mile, when
it met and followed the old road till it reached
" on the old road or street to a point 40 links in front of the
front door of the meeting house in Middletown Upper Houses;
thence S. 11° 10' W. 73 chains (292 rods) 33 links crossing
the fields in the meadows to a point in the old road at 59
links from the river bank being 3G links of the center of the
path of travel."
On Dee. 4, 1727 there was laid out "a country road from new-
field fery river on to the plains into the old road that leads to
Hartford eight rods wide." Capt. Jared Shepherd was the first
to build on this road near "fery" river. This property is now
owned by Mr. Seth Paddock. The Shepherd house and oak tree
are given herewith. This road became the dividing line between the
west and the northwest school districts of the present town. What
had been known as the " n. w. quarter" had been taken, 1772,
from the Middletown North Society to become a part of the Wbrth-
ington Society, now in the town of Berlin, but the land had been
alloted to North Society people who had settled thereon.
HISTORY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 15
April 26, 1737, a committee including Isaac White, John Kirby
and Daniel Sage, was appointed to remove encroachments on high-
ways, and many times to 1800 similar committees were ordered.
In 1795 on the petition of forty-two persons a road two and
a half rods wide was laid out along the river bank from the corner
of the John Savage home lot to the corner of Nathaniel White's
home lot. The record gives the frontage of each piece of prop-
erty and the amount paid each owner for land taken. The river
bank thereafter was used for wharves and shipbuilding. In 1803
a narrow street was thrown out from Pleasant Street to River
Street through the original Joseph Smith home lot, and in 1807
a schoolhouse known as the " Bell " schoolhouse, two stories high,
was erected and used till the Nathaniel White schoolhouse was
opened on Jan. 6, 1902. The reproduction of the U. S. Coast
Survey map shows these later village streets.
The First Mills
Beyond the original settlement and to the northwest is a small
stream which flows in a southwesterly direction to Little River and
was early known as Chestnut Brook. Near its mouth it passes
over a brownstone ledge and then through a deep ravine, making
a natural dam site and a favorable location for a mill. To
Thomas Miller, son of the Thomas Miller to whom in lower Mid-
dletown a mill site was granted in 1655, there was granted "Jan.
25, 1714 — 15 the right to set a grist mill on Chestnut Brook by
the falls on the north side the fery and also 3 A of land above
the falls for the mill plot with the privilege of digging and dam-
ming so far as the brook runs in the towns comons, not to pond
the highway — and must do this in 3 yrs. or pay 20 s a year to the
town till he does." On Jan. 17, 1715-16, this land was recorded
and bounded " N. stream ; S. Highway ; W. Common fence ; E. town
commons." This mill privilege at the base and on the west side
of Timber Hill has been used as a mill privilege to very recent
years. The ancient wheel and the old mill are to be seen in the
illustration. On Jan. 13, 1718 Thomas Miller, Jr., paid a fine of
20 s for not building on time. On Dec. 21, 1721 the town voted
half an acre northerly of his grist mill and on Dec. 26, 1721
Capt. John Savage and Capt. William Savage were appointed a
committee to lay out a small parcel of land " n. w. side the Brook
for Thomas Miller, Jr. to build on."
Northward of the settlement and easterly of the highway to
Hartford is a valley with numerous springs, in early days known
as Cold Spring, which was the property of Thomas Ranney whose
16 MIDDLETOWN TJPPEB HOUSES
distribution of it to his heirs is recorded in his will of 1711.
Eastward of this highway was a high ridge, " Sideling Hill," ex-
tending a mile to the river, covered now, as then, with forest trees.
South of and under this ridge and along to the river is a road called
the " Nuiks " road, and John Sage resided on this road near
the Cold Spring reservoir outlet. On Dec. 25th. 1732 the town
gave authority to John 2 Sage " to erect a grist mill on the stream
that runs across the highway near to sd Sages dwelling house &
the liberty to erect a dam so as to flow the highway provided he
make and forever maintain a good sufficient bridge or causeway
across sd water for hors cart foot and team at all times, provided
sd Sage grind the corn of the town inhabitants before any
stranger."
On Dec. 20, 1742 the town released John Sage from the obli-
/j ~ gation to maintain the bridge near the
\s%^Jf* d^-r- y m ^ ^ ie na( ^ erec ted, and granted him a
\J //*^^3/ privilege to erect a warehouse "near the
C_/ landing place by Mr. Samuel Frary's
[John Savage on map], not exceeding 30 ft. sq. and a place for a
wharf to answer the same." The committee to locate this was
Capt. Thomas Johnson and Hugh White, and Mr. Sage was to have
"the produce [toll rates], of sd warehouse and wharf place as a
recompense for building sd bridge." In 1780 Giles Sage was per-
mitted to add a sawmill in the public highway near his dwelling
house in connection with the grist mill.
The commercial spirit, of trade with the West Indies and the
southern ports had reached Middletown proper and the Upper
Houses, for, on Dec. 24, 1744. Joseph Stocking and John Stock-
ing (the latter died at " Statia" in 1750) petitioned for " 4 Roods
of land Southard of Samuel Fran's warehouse, for a warehouse
plot and to build a wharf in the river there." A committee was
appointed to "view the sd place and lay it out provided they pay
what, it is worth."
On Dec. 31, 1781 Capt. John Smith was given a quitclaim right
to erect a store "at the foot of his wharf near Capt. Sinking's
store." He died in 1784 and his widow Mary sold his interest in
the wharf. A map of L796 shows the two wharves then existing.
In L776 Middletown had a larger population than New Eaven
of Eartford and the shipbuilding, Wesl India and coast trade made
many rich. The Upper Houses people were thoroughly followers
of the sea, having several shipyards, wharves and storage or freight
houses. The trade consisted in carrying out mules, horses and hay.
and bringing hack rum, sugar, molasses and line woods. " Pipe
Stave" swamp indicated the thrifty business of making and car-
HISTORY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 17
rying out staves in bundles to be put into shape and brought
back filled with rum, molasses or sugar. Nearly everyone was
or became a Captain, and the records sadly tell the story of those
who " never came back." The remains of the wharves are still visi-
ble, and the last storehouse, the old " Brick Store," has just
fallen. Its representation here reminds us of those who " go down
to the sea in ships."
Churches and Schools
Near where the Middletown memorial of granite and bronze
stands was a large elm, beneath which, it is said, the first religious
services were held. On " February the 10th, 1652. It was agreed
at a meeting at John Halls hous to build a meeting hous and to
make it twenty fot square and ten fot between sill and plat, the
heygt of it." It was erected of logs in the middle of the street
and in front of " Riverside " cemetery, and was surrounded by
a palisade to protect against the Indians in case of need. This
is the first high ground after crossing Little River from the Upper
Houses, and the location was as convenient as possible to those
who must travel from the Upper Houses two miles and then cross
a river to reach the church and the cemetery. ' The Rev. Samuel
Stow, a graduate of " Cambridge College," was the preacher for
some years, but dissatisfaction arose, and by the Great and General
Court it was decided, Oct. 4, 1660, that he should cease to officiate
as soon as there could be found an " able, orthodox and pious
minister to be approved by Mr. Warham, Mr. Stone, Mr. Whiting
takeing in ye help of ye Wor'll Gournr and Mr. Willis w'ch being
done Mr. Stow is to lay down his preaching there, the said Towne
giueing Mr. Stow Testimonial Lrs such as the Gent forenamed
judge fit. In ye meantime the Towne to allow Mr. Stow his
vsual stipend he continuing the exercise of his ministery as for-
merly." In those days " Mr." was the title of the pastor without
the prefix " Rev." Attention was already directed towards the Rev.
Nathaniel Collins, son of Deacon Collins of Cambridge, and grad-
uate of Harvard College, and the Great and General Court, May
25, 1661, " doe advise both Mr. Stowe & all the inhabitants of
Midletown to a loving X carriage to Mr. Collins & friendlv com-
pliance with each other," etc. ' On the 4th of Nov., 1662, "the
town did agre that the lions for mr Collins should be 36 foot long
18 foot wid, ten foot hy betwean joints and stone chimneys in
the middle, with silleradg by leantowing or otherwise as may be
most convenient." The work of building a meeting house pro-
ceeded, and though there were but 31 heads of families in the
18 MIDDLETOWN" UPPER HOUSES
settlement they voted, Feb. 14, 1665, to have "a galery for the
meeting house from the east end to the middle beam." A form of
letter was drawn up and approved Dec. 11, 1665 and forwarded.
" Mr. Nathanill Collins, Sir. you may be pleased to Re-
member wee wrote to you, a few linnes bearing date the 11th of
December, '63, wharein we gave you an invitation unanimusly
tinder our hands to the worke of the minestry amongst us, in
oiiler to farther and more sollem ingagements, when god in his
providenc shall make way theirto, the Acceptance whereof you
have hitherto manifested by your long continuatyon among us,
in that worke, our present state you now know, namly that God by
his providenc hath brought us hopefully nerere gathering into
an ekclyasticall body, then formerly though some of our neigh-
bours and brethren are wee would hope conscienciusly differing
from us, respecting the maner of it, namely as you know some
judging we are a church allredy, others that wee are not, how-
ever wee that thinke wee are allredy a church and wee allso that
thinke we are not but in some short time may be one both sen-
cibile of the essentiall need of an officer to despence the sealles
as well as the word amongst us. to such as shall be regularly
fitt. doe therefore by these presenc give you to know that our
eyes are upon and our desires towards yourself for that worke
as soon as we shall he in such a capasety and request your answer
to this our motion as god shall direct and incline so desiering
god to guide you in this great motion we rest waiting your an-
swer your loving frinds and neighbours, the inhabitants of
MlDDLETOWN."
On Feb. 19, 1667, it was voted to organize a church and call
Mr. Collins, and Knsign White and Samuel Stocking were chosen
on the committee.
Here are some extracts from the church records:
—The Rev. Mr. Collins was ordained the " 4 th — 9 th — 1668 "
" 15 th — 9 th — 1668 " William Savage was baptized.
" 30 th — 1 st — 1668 Ensign White, Goodman Kirby, Saml Hall,
the wife of our Brother Stocking, the wife of Goodman Kirby,
the wife of Goodman Rany," were admitted as membera in full com-
munion. They made public profession of faith "and also what
had been the matter of public offense in any of them publicly
owned."
"10 th — 11 th — 68 children of Brother Kirby, namely John,
Joseph, Easter, Sarah, the child of our sister Rany, Elizabeth, re-
ceived ye iniatory seale."
HISTOEY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 19
« 19th — nth gg Dethia, Susanna, Abigail, children of our
Brother and Sister Kirby rec'd in ye initiatory seale.
" March 18 — 1669 [evidently a new clerk] ye wife of our Brother
Ensign White, the wife of our Brother Savage rec'd into full com-
munion."
" May 2 — 1669 Joseph, son of our Brother and Sister Stocking
in y seale."
"May 23 — 1669 Goodman John Warner & his yoake fellow
Anna Warner & the wife of David Sage in full communion."
"May 30, 1669 child 11 of Brother John Warner; viz: Hannah,
John, Jonathan, Mary, Elizabeth, our Sister Sage herself like-
wise and her 3 children, namely, David, John, Elizabeth in y seale."
On March 16, 1670, Thomas Allen, Samuel Stocking and John
Hall, Jr., were elected deacons "desiring Ensign White to join
^ * with the pastor in prayer
<&*«. :^U)aX*<t.XZ'- a * d imposition of hands on
71 "^^^ t h e nex t Lord's Day to con-
*s summate " ; which was done
on Sunday, March 20, 1670 ; the signal honor bestowed on " En-
sign " White of the Upper Houses showing his pre-eminence in the
church which was the community, and vice versa. A separate record
shows that Samuel Stocking and John Savage were among the nine
original members of Nov. 1688. David Sage was received June,
1670, and Thomas Stow, Jr., on April 29, 1676. Deacon Samuel
Stocking in his will " give unto our Pastor Mr. Nathaniell Collins
(as an expression of my affectionate Respect to him) three pounds
to be payd within a year after my decease." Captain Nathaniel
White gave £4 money to Rev. Noadiah Russell in his will.
The Rev. Nathaniel Collins died in 1684, after a very happy
experience of many vears. His li-
brary was valued at £72-12-09. The TV a ifi M<£i?*$ •
inventory of his household goods V_7^ a n (_
included
" One tancord & dramcup & spoons 9 ounces & J
valued at £2-16-00.
The parler firnituer: As follows
One fetherbed boulster & pillows
6 : wrought cusshons, one carpet
& one yallo cussions
one grate table and one small table
all the earthon ware in the glas case
one payor of bras coboyarns & a
fiershoffol & tongs
one tin scollupt candlestick & 3 wicker baskets."
20 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
On Feb. 24, 1686-7 " Lieut." Nath. White was on the committee
to finish the " parsonage house."
On Oct. 24, 1688, the Rev. Noadiah Russell was ordained. He
was a native of New Haven, and a graduate of Harvard College.
During his pastorate of twenty-five years, 180 persons were ad-
mited to the church, a fair proportion of whom were from the
Upper Houses. Ho outlived the last survivor of the early settlers,
Thomas Ranney, but died later in the same year. The relation of
the " Upper Houses " families to the church ceased with the estab-
lishment. of the church in the North Society.
While the matter of schooling the children is not mentioned
in the town records till " 14 of ye 4, 1675 " it does not follow that
nothing had been done on the subject, for by that time children
born in Middletown had been reared, married, and were parents
of young children. The privilege of voting had been accorded in
1666 to "all which are above 20 years old which are children of
inhabitants and cary orderly in there conversation have liberty of
voating for al town oncers and town afairs."
" 14 of ye 4, 1675. At ye same meeting ye town granted ten
pounds for ye year ensuing towards ye incourigm't of a schoole-
master to teach o'r children to read & write and made choice
of goodman Wilcock, William Harriss and Seargt Ward to en-
quire after and agree with a meet person for that work, and to
levy ye remainder of his higher upon ye children schooled to ye
summ of ten pounds more."
The number of householders at this time was between 50 and
60, and probably the schoolmaster's salary, small as it was, was
not easily raised, for on November 29th, 1676, is found the follow-
ing vote:
"November 29, 1676. The town voated to entertayn Mr.
Thomas Webe as a scollmaster to teach childeren to wrigfti and
read at least for tryall for the winter reason, abought halfe a
yeare, finding him meat & drinke or sum other small incoredge-
ment ; at the same time was voated that the watchhoufl shall be
forthwith fitted up for a schollhous.
It seems that Mr. Webb's "tryall" was satisfactory, because
in the following March the town passed this vote:
"At a town meeting ye L2th of March L676-7 the town
granted Mr. Thomas Web as srhoolnnaster to ye town twenty-
HISTORY OF THE TIPPER HOUSES 21
five pounds for his sallery for one year beginning ye twentyeighth
day of December past; this sum above said to be levyed as fol-
loweth, ten pound to be paid by the town according to former
grant for ye incouragement of a schoolemaster, fifteen pound
to Be levyed on the children that have gone, shall goe, or ought
to goe to school in equall proportion."
In 1679 a rate of £1 for a schoolmaster " within or without the
town" was voted.
" September 7, 1680. The towne voated to a shool hous of
twenty six foot long & seaventeen or eightene foot wide & six
foot & a hallfe betweene joints in hight & secondly that the
townsmen shall use the best means they can to get it done if
it may be before winter. & thirdly that this hous shall be
sett up in some place neare the watch hous.
In 1681 John Richards of Hartford was schoolmaster, and a
schoolhouse had been erected. Feb. 5, 1682-83 " The inhabitants
on the south side Middletown fery granted to their neighbors
on the north side the rivulet their proportions of the school rate
granted by the town toward the maintaining of the scool on the
north side for this year," though there were but few families
with young children to call for a school. In 1690 Ensign Samuel
Collins the schoolmaster, brother of Rev. Nathaniel Collins, agreed
to let those on the north side the liberty to school their children on
their own charge, not paying to the school on the south side " if
they keep a scholl on that side not els," a not very generous offer.
On May 5, 1690, the town " granted the north part of the town by
reason of distance that if they provide a sufficient master there then
they to have their part of the rate which shall be raised for that
purpose and if they do not provide in that caus, then to pay their
whole proportion to the scoall of the town that is for the six
months."
Jan. 6, 1695, on motion of the Rev. Mr. Russell it was voted
"that if at any time there should be made any lands by way of
Island upon or in the great river within the bounds of this town-
ship that all such lands shall be improved for the benefit & en-
couragement of the public schools of this town." An island of
small dimensions then may have been existing in the Connecticut
River between the two settlements, as such an island in 1801 was
taken by three persons and improved for a fishing bank and a
claim for ownership filed by them. It has been greatly enlarged
since 1801, and now consists of 33 acres and belongs to the Brain-
22 MIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES
erd, Shailer & Hall Quarry Co. As early as 1658 Deer Island,
later known as Indian Island and now as Gildersleeve Island, was
granted to Robert Webster.
Jan. 14, 1696-7 it was voted that " a yearly scoal be kept and
maintained in this town, the neighbors on the north side the fery
shall have the benefit of their part of half the year's scoal rate
for the future provided it be improved for the benefit of scoaling
their children." Jan. 15, 1700, the town agreed "to pay £5 in
pay towards a yearly scoalls maintenance which is to be paid out
of the next town rate."
It may well be thought that an energetic but so far fruitless
effort had been made to secure the proper share of the rate or
general taxes for the maintenance of a school on the north side.
Yet this did not divert the people from planning to have a Society
with a church and a pastor of their own. And it may be imagined
that it was thought that this independence, being organized into
a Society with authority to manage their own church and school
matters, would be mutually helpful. Accordingly on Jan. 18,
1702-3 " at the same meeting it was proposed by the Inhabitants
on the north side the riverlet for a liberty to provide a minister
and a meeting hous separate from this side, and maintain it upon
their own charge, which proposition was granted on these condi-
tions, that they doe in half a year or one whole year at farthest,
procure and settle, an authcrdox ami aproved minister orderly
amongst, them, that being accomplished, then to be free from the
charge, of the ministry on this side the riuerlet. they paying equally
with us here untill. that be accomplished, but if this be not accom-
plished within sd time all. the above is to be null and void." At
the May session of the Great and General Court of the Colony this
action was confirmed as follows:
" Be it therefore enacted by this Court and the authoritie
thereof, and it is enacted :
" That all those persons that now are and hereafter at any time
shall be dwellers and inhabitants on the north side of the said
riverett in the said towne of Middletown, are and hereafter shall
be one intire societie and parish by ami of themselves, and shall
have and enjoy all such powers, liberties and priviledges, as other
societies and congregations in this Colonic generally have, or by
lawe may have, enjoy ami use, for the choosing collectors ami
levying of rates and money for the charge, settlement ami main-
tenance of their minister, and upholding the publick worship of
• in, I among them, from time to time as need snail require."
Thus encouraged, arrangements were made, March 9. 1704-5,
HISTORY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 23
with the Rev. David Deming of Wethersfield, Conn., who came
and occupied the property which was the original Robert Webster
home lot and which became, 1664, the property of his successor,
John Warner. Mr. Warner died in 1700, and on Feb. 4, 1704-5
the heirs sold it to the town of Middletown. The account book
of Capt. John Warner shows that he paid for himself and for
others in 1707-1708-1709 a "rate for Mr. Deming." In 1708
Samuel Hall, preparing to cross the river, sold the east half of
his homestead to Samuel Frary. The bound on the north reads
" supposed to be Mr. DemingV' In 1709 Mr. Hall sold " David
Deming, Jr.," a strip " by estimate 25 rods or something better "
bounded on the north by the " sd Deming's lott." This strip was
but one rod and six links wide and gave Mr. Deming a greater
frontage of lot on the south side of his house.
S^~ Jan. 30, 1709-10 Mr. Hall
<£"V f^\(*)) ' J sold tne west half of nis home-
^ OAJJ O t//£?nsU*K-a^ stead and it was bounded on the
/y north by " Mr. Deming." The
Rev. David Deming who was
born in Wethersfield, Conn., July 20, 1681, being the son of David
Deming who was the son of John Deming and a daughter of Richard
Treat. Another daughter had married Robert Webster. He was
graduated at Harvard college in 1700. He occupied the John
Warner homestead and remained here from the time the Society
was incorporated, probably holding services in the schoolhouse. His
purchase of a narrow strip to increase the frontage of his lot indi-
cated that he expected to remain till a church was organized when
he would be installed as pastor. But he remained only till 1710
when the Rev. Joseph Smith came. Mr. Deming while here married
Miss Marcy Bridgeman of Boston on Nov. 18, 1708. Their child,
David, was born here on Aug. 24, 1709.
The town of Medway, Mass., was incorporated October 25, 1713,
and on September 22, 1714, there was appointed "A comitty to
provide a minister for the Town until the aniwall metting in
March next following and it is voted that ye town are to meet at
the house of peter Adamses to attend the public worship of God
on the sabbathdays and he haws given his consent to the same."
The first public service was held in this house October 7, 1714,
by the Rev. David Deming, who continued to hold services there
for several months and till the church was completed. He re-
ceipted for 26 pounds sterling for " preaching to the town " from
October 7, 1714, to April 9, 1715. On September 12, 1715, they
called him as pastor on a salary of 60 pounds and he accepted the
same day. The church was used for the annual meeting on March
24 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
7, 1715. They gave him 30 acres of land. In 1722, after repeated
requests they yielded and gave him a dismission. A son, Jon-
athan, was born to him in 1719. Nothing more is known of the
Rev. David Deming except that he died, 1716, in Lyme, Conn.
The Rev. Joseph Smith was preaching to the " Hors Neck "
inchoate church (Greenwich, Conn.) while the Rev. Mr. Deming
was similarly engaged here. The time of his arrival is not decided
by the record found in Captain John Warner's account book, as he
had kept another record book.
Mr Smith Debttor lb s d
for 1 bushel of wheat )
and 4 bushels of indian corn \
for weaving 5 yds of chek 5
for weaving 48 yds of cloth 01 4
for weaving 44 4-2 yds of cloth 01 12 06
for weaving 13 4-2 yds ticking 01
1715 for weaving 40 4-2 yds of crap 01 16
1715 for weaving 38 yds of cloth 19
1716 for weaving 43 yds of cloth 01 06
18 00
£ 9
6
Mr Smith credit
lb
s
d
for 3 pound of sugar
2
for 1 quart of rum
1
for my rates in 1713
01
10
09
by part of Isaac Cornish
rate
05
06
for 1 yd of Rollon
05
for my rates 1714
01
06
by Isaac Cornell
08
03
by my rates 1715
01
01
03
£4
19
9
The account was continued on another page to the death of Rev.
Mr. Smith in 1736. including a charge for digging his grave.
Mr. Smith had had experience as a teacher, and one result of
tins was that Samuel .Johnson, son of Deacon William .Johnson
of Guilford and Man- Sage, daughter of David Sage, came here,
probably to be in the family of his uncle, Timothy Sage, while he
studied across the street under the Rev. Mr. Smith. Samuel /John-
sou went from here to Yale College in Saybrook, where he gradu-
ated in nil. After being a tutor he became the firsl pastor of
HISTORY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 25
the Congregational church in West Haven. Having with others
access to the books given to Yale by Dean Berkeley, afterwards
Bishop of Cloyne, he with them became imbued with the convic-
tion that Congregational ordination was invalid. Governor Sal-
tonstall convened the General Assembly and for a whole day the
effort continued to convince Bector Cutler, Tutor Brown, Mr. Wet-
more, a native of Middletown and then pastor at North Haven,
and several others that they were properly ordained clergymen.
It was of no effect and four of the seven went to England and were
Episcopally ordained. Mr. Johnson had used in his West Haven
pulpit the prayers of the Episcopal service without his congregation
suspecting it. Later they recalled their admiration of his style
of praying. He was a missionary while settled in Stratford and
led over thirty Congregational ministers to go to England for
Episcopal ordination. He was the first president of King's College,
now Columbia University. His son, William Samuel Johnson, was
a distinguished son of Connecticut, its representative to England,
in the Constitutional Convention, and was United States Senator.
Dr. Samuel Johnson was known as " The father of Episcopacy in
New England."
Dr. Johnson's intimacy with Dean Berkeley led to Yale College
receiving a valuable library from him. A book presented by Dean
Berkeley to Dr. Johnson, now in the library of the Berkeley Divinity
School, Middletown, contains the following in Dr. Johnson's hand-
writing :
It would seem as though the " South side," having the more nu-
merous body of voters, was unwilling to part with the north side,
for at the October session, 1709, of the General Assembly, it was
voted :
"Upon the consideration of the petition of the inhabitants of
26 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
the north side the riverlet in Middletown, now presented to this
Assembly, praying that so much of the school money arising by
law as shall be levyed on their part of the list of that town, may
be ordered to be improved for a school amongst them on the north
side the said river: This Assembly grants and allows the same,
providing they shall maintain a school for reading and writing,
for one half of the year, annually; and do order that on default
thereof, the said money shall be paid toward the maintenance of
the town school as formerly."
At a town meeting held Jan. 18, 1710-11 " the order of court
respecting the school on the north side the rivulet was then pub-
lished in the meeting." A number of the children of the founders
of the north side had lately made a settlement on the east side of
the Connecticut river and were already clamoring for their share
of the school money. A very important town meeting was held
Feb. 15, 1710-11, at which a committee which had been appointed
previously " to managing the town schole in Middletown do unan-
imously agre to make the following proposells to the town for their
concurence and confermation."
These proposals were, 1st, to build a new schoolhouse " at the
charge only of those that inhabbit on the south of the ferry, and
the west of the great river: 2nd for the encouragement of learn-
ing and the supporting of the said town* schole the sum of £25
was to be raised by local taxation until with the rate of 40 shillings
upon the thousand pounds, with the incomes of other donations,
the sum should amount to £40 : 3d to give " to the north side what
part of this is levyed on their estates to enter them in learning,
provided they keep a half year schole amongst themselves: and
upon their default it shall be paid to the town schole, on the south
side the ferry." The same proposition was made for the benefit
of those on the east side with this special favor, " and if any of
their children being well entered in their spelling want to be par-
fected in reading wrighting an sifering and their parents or masters
will allow them, they may come over and be further instructed at
the town schole upon free cost." This committee was to be au-
thorized to employ a teacher;
"also to demand, receive and improve all such gifts and dona-
tions as are or shall be made to the said schole for the best use
and bennifit thereof.
" that no a. b. c. darians be allowed to come to be taught at
the said town schole, unless it be when there is not a compitancy
* The first " IliL'li" School.
■
r
;
■
"tvrn tul •*■'"* f*V*'
/»i«» > Alt' . ^
' J .{>l*A&. , ' i riiw i-i — rn — ■
Well of Nathaniel Whj
(See page 714)
HISTORY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 27
of others to keepe the scholemaster imployed, and it be with the
said master's concent."
There is no record of what action, if any, was taken on these rec-
ommendations which involved the institution of a " town schole "
or high school.
Still the " north side " was not satisfied, according to the record
of a town meeting held "March 13th, 1710-11. There being a
controversy between the neighborhood of the North Society in
Middletown and the South Society of the said town about the part
of the fourty shillings upon the thousand pounds that the countrey
doth alow for the upholding a town scool. the North Society hav-
ing obtained a liberty in October 1709 for their part of it to be
to themselves so long as they improve it for that use it is enacted
and declared that the mater of controversy is left with the wor-
shipfull M r John John hains and M r Nath 1 hooker both of hartford
to say how much of the scoal money that did arise upon the fourty
shillings on the thousand pounds for the subsi stance of the town
scoal paid by the treasurer in the year 1709 to the selectmen of
Middletown did of right belong to our neighbors of the North
society by vertue of the liberty granted them from the court as is
above exprest and if it be found that the selectmen belonging to
the South Society have unjustly detained from them their due of
the said money then they in behalf of the said society to bear the
charge arising thereupon but if it be found they have not with-
holden from "the North Society their due then the selectmen of
that society to pay the charge as above said or in behalf of the
said societie noted and excepted by the town March 13, 1710-11
and at the same meeting Capt. John Hall and Thomas Stow, sen 1 ",
were chosen by voat and apointed to lay this matter before the
gentlemen above specified."
The Rev. Samuel Stow and Mr. Jasper Clement had by their
wills left lands to be sold for the benefit of the school' of Middle-
town and Capt. Nathaniel White may have indicated his intention
to do likewise, for in the August following, and in his will made
two weeks before his death, he made this bequest ; " and four pound
money to the Reverend M r Noadiah Russell and what of my right
of undivided lands may be dmed my wright; my will is that; one
fourth part thereof be and remains for the use of the publique
scholes Already Agreed upon In the town of Midletown for ever : "
In a great division of Wongunk meadow lands made in 1721 lot
number 200 was set off to "old cap White" and in 1745 this one
fourth was sold for the benefit of the school fund of the town ; and
as there was a division of the school fund when Cromwell in 1851
28
MIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES
became a separate town, his money to-day is helping to maintain
the Natiianjki. \\ urn; Public School, named in his honor on
Feb. G. 1902 in accordance with the suggestion of the compiler of
this history, made in the Penny Press of Middletown when it was
decided to erect a town schoolhouse to take the place of the dis-
trict schoolhouses.
On the last leaves of the North Society's record book an account
was kept of the school moneys, as indicated below. And as Capt.
Nathaniel White had died in August, 1711, and a school in the
North Society was then " already established," it is concluded that
the first entry refers to a school kept while Capt Nathaniel White
was alive. The treasurer was Capt. John Warner who " filled many
public offices," says his tombstone. His acount is here given.
Peom tiii: Record Book of the North Society of Middletown
An account of ye charge of the school in the north Society
in mideltown in the- year under writen 1712 — o capt.
White and ed shepard and : harris and for harrises bord, £10-01-2
In the year 1715 paid to charls goodrigdg for 3 months
keeping school 3-15-0
In the year 171»i paid to Mrs. Smith for 3 months keeping
school 5-0-0
In the year 1717 paid to Mrs. Smith and William prout 10-10-0
To Joseph white for hording charls goodridg and prout.... 05-12-6
to John Warner juner for his trouble about the school.... 00-06-1
for jonthan bordman Cor keeping school six months 09-10-0
to Joseph white for hording jonthan bordman six months.. 05-17-0
to John warner for his trouble about the school according
to the society's voat 02-02-4
to mr bordman for keeping school in 1720 08-0-0
•to ensign white for hording mr bordman 5-0-0
to mrs Stow for keeping school 03-00-0
An ace.. urn of what con trey money was received to defray
the charge of the school in the respective years men-
tioned on the other side In the year 1712 received 03-03-0
in the yeare 1715 05-0-4
in the year 1716 05-0-7
in the year 1717 05-5-0
An account of town money ordered to defray the charg of
the school in the respective years mentioned on the other
side, in the year \l\- there was : ordered 04-0-0
In the year 1715 03-174)
in the year L716 08 10-0
in the year L717 054)8-0
Contry money 1718 was 05-16-10
town money 1718 was . 08-14-1
for money received of Josepb rangy 02 mi
* Ensign Daniel White.
W,
JH*^
7^ X «
-I
«"t ^
$$
£
«0 «
«
^
^
Tin I [01 51 "i
Jonathan Boabdaj \\.
(See paso 29)
SCHOOLMASTEB
HISTORY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 29
mon received of Jacob white 5s-9d and of Serg Sage
4s-6d on the account of Thomas stow colector, . . 00-10-3
mon Joseph White's rate, 00-05-5
contrey money received 1719 was OG-02-6
town money ordered 1719 was 03-17-8
contrey money received 1720 06-12-0
town money ordered 1720 3-19-6
68-14-00
The treasurer, Capt. John ^s /O e a h
Warner, commissioned cap- s/Or\Y\. Vr6<J^77. £.7^
tain in 1725, was a nephew
of the John Warner who
took the Robert Webster place and died there in 1700. " John
Warner juner," the treasurer's first cousin, had been settled on
what is now known as the " Edward Savage place " and which re-
mained a Warner homestead till sold in 1771 to Jacob Gibson, who
in 1806 removed to Gt. Barrington, Mass. Edward Shepard was
son of Edward Shepard and Abigail Savage. Ed. Harris came
from lower Middletown. Charles Goodrich * was from Wethers-
field. Jonathan Bordman was born and died in the same house
in Stepney part of Rocky Hill. (See Boardman Genealogy.)
William Prout is spoken of in the genealogical part of this volume.
Mrs. Smith was the wife of Rev. Joseph Smith. Mrs. Stow was
the wife of Thomas Stow and daughter of Deacon Samuel Stocking.
" Jan 13 : 1712-13 Whereas at a town meeting March 22 d :
1708-9 the town by voat Granted to Mr David Deming about
twenty acres of land provided he settled there. w th our neighbors
on the north side riuerlet In the work of the ministry but Mr
Deming failing, by the request of the neighbours on the north
side the riverlet, at this town meeting Janey 13 th : 1712 : 13 the town
by voat grant the same privilidge or quantity of land to Mr
Joseph Smith upon the same terms provided he settle there in the
work of the ministry, and doe Impower the same com tte formerly
* Charles Goodrich must have been a brother to William* who mar-
ried Rachel 3 Savage (Johns, Johni ) and David* who married Sarah
Edwards, and Sarah* who married Richard Butler. His autograph is
copied from a 1730 deed from Richard Butler to David Edwards which
was witnessed by David and Charles Goodricn, though the name of
the latter is not given in the Goodrich Genealogy.
30
MIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES
chosen to lay it out on the same terms as before specified." They
laid out sixteen acres in the
region of Timber Hill, " comon /J /j /) {£) • n
butting all round," which he UfilQfJ*^ P Tyy^Lri
sold in 1725 to William Sav- /V /7 / ^ J)
age, and his autograph to such // {/
deed of sale is given herewith.
They laid out four acres between John Sage's and John Ban-
ner's which made much trouble between him and Mr. Sage as
to the correct dividing line. Perhaps in consequence he ex-
changed it for a large tract in the Nooks, which in time became
the homesteads of his grandsons, Joseph, John and Nathaniel.
The bouse built thereon by C.apt. Joseph Smith is owned and
occupied by Charles Bowers.
The record book of the North Society contains in the handwriting
of Capt. John Warner this
" grand levie for the north society in Middletowu 1714 As followeth :
£ s
89-02
41-10
73-00
27-10
15-00
> 79-00
21-00
. 59-05
39-05
42-00
43-00
77-19
75-3 1
85 10
85-10
18-10
42-00
49-17
88-00
148-06
57-05
59-05
77-00
44-10
2,586.03
£ s
James Brown 22-00
Widow Butler 6-00
Joseph Butler 13-10
Nathi Clark 46-14
Daniel Clark 65-10
Serg John Clark 71-17
John Clark 46-00
Isaac Cornel] 24-00
Joseph Crofoot 18-00
Samuel Frary 69-00
Roger Gibson 45-00
Samuel Gibson 72-00
David Hurlbul 37-00
John Kirby 30-00
Samuel Lucas 35-00
William Mark 25-00
Margarel Ranney 3-10
Ebenezer Ranney 48-10
Josepb Ranney 61-05
John Ranney. . .
Thomas Ranney.
willow Ranney.
Widow Sage....
Timothy Sage...
John Sage
Total ....
30-05
L20-15
0-10
24-10
7! i or,
150-00
Capt. John Savage.
Thomas Savage....
William Savage. . . .
Hannah Scovil
Mary Scovil
John Shepherd
Edward Shepherd. .
Samuel Shepherd. ..
Daniel Stocking....
Samuel Stow
Thomas Stow. Sr. .
Thomas Stow, Jr. .
John Warner. Sr. . .
John Warner, Jr. . .
Josepb White
Ensign White
John White
Bugb White
Daniel White
Jacob White
Israel Wilcox
John Wilcox
Francis Wilcoa
Samuel Wilcox
Joseph Whitmore. . .
" Serg. Clark " was the John Clark who came from Iladdam
and married Elizabeth While. Thomas Stow, Sr., came from
HISTORY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 31
lower Middletown and married Bethia Stocking. These two then
were "old residents"; Brown, Butler, Cornell, Crofoot, Frary,
Gibson, Hurlbut, Lucas, Mark, Scovil and Joseph AVhitmore were
" recent " comers. A number born here had recently removed to
the east side of the Connecticut River.
The first meeting recorded in the book of the North Society,
now duly empowered to manage church and school affairs, was
held "Feb. 18:1713-14. The return of the committy was that
provided the society give mr smith a comfortable maintenance he
will settle with us." It would seem that the committee retired
and interviewed Mr. Smith, for " the committee returned and re-
ported and it was then voted to settle Mr Smith at £60 per year
for the present and more as his necessity calls for it and our
ability enables." " Voted a rate of 2 pence upon the pound towards
finishing the meeting house half of sd rate to be gathered by
May 1 next the other half by Nov. 1." Joseph Whitmore was to
be collector. Samuel Wilcox, Sr., Samuel Gibson and John War-
ner, Jr., were a committee to hire workmen to finish the meeting
house. Samuel Frary was ordered to gather the rate that he
was chosen to collect " forthwith without any further delay."
On March 11, 1714, it was voted to finish the meeting house
" after the same manner the meeting house in South Society that
is the two ends of itt." Serg. Clark was to make the body of seats
for 8s. each seat.
March 24, 1714, Ensign (Daniel) White, Samuel Gibson and
John Warner to " carry on sd finishing of ye meeting house as it
was formerly voted. Joseph Ranney was a committee " to carry
on ye school house with Serg. [William] Savage and John Sage."
The " clerk of this society shall transcribe all ye voats that have
been pased by this society since he was chosen clerk into a book
with a parchment cover." And this parchment-covered book was
used until 1772 and is the authority of the compiler of this his-
tory. A committee of five was appointed to " carry on ye needful
in preparing for settlement of mr Smith." The meeting then
repeated the vote passed Jan. 17, 1710-11, "relating to ye 40*
annually to be paid by ye society to schools, excepting the first
year."
The church was duly organized on Jan. 5, 1714-15, and Mr.
Smith was installed pastor on the same day. TIip original mem-
bers were:
Capt. John Savage Widow Nathaniel White
Mis. John Savage Joseph White
Serg. Wm. Savage Mrs. Joseph White
32 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Mrs. Win. Savage Mrs. Daniel White, Sr.
Thomas Ranney Mrs. Jonathan Warner
Mrs. Thomas Panney Widow Shepard
John Ranney Samuel Gibson
Mrs. John Ranney Mrs. Thomas Stow, Sr.
Joseph Ranney Mrs. Daniel Clark
Mrs. Joseph Ranney Mrs. Nathaniel Savage
Samuel Stow Samuel Hall
Mrs. Samuel Stow
On Feb. 10, 1715-16, Sergeant William Savage and Sergeant
Samuel Hall were elected deacons, though Samuel Hall had re-
moved to the east side of the river, where he was elected the first
deacon on the organization of the church there in 1721.
Feb. 1, 1714-15, Daniel Stocking was a committee " to collect
ye glass rate," Samuel Stow to " collect ye rate " for " ye trans-
porting mr Smith and his goods and family from hors neck."
Horse N"eck, in Greenwich, Conn, is famous as the place where Gen-
eral Putnam galloped his horse down stone steps to escape the Brit-
ish. John Sage and John Warner were a committee " for ye schoole
and to hire a schoolmaster." "What the 40 s on the £1000 and ye
town money doth not reach to maintain the half year school what is
wanting shall be levied on the poles of the children from five
yere old to ten farmers only excepted."
Feb. 14, 1714-15, Samuel Stow was " to beat the drum and
sweep the meeting house for the yeare ensuing and to look after
the doors for £1-5 ES ." Allowed Jacob White "5 shillings for
cider." Made the collectors responsible for collecting the rates,
and the clerk to give them a " clearing " when they have done so.
Feb. 14, 1715-16, " granted ebyneser Raney ten shilings for
sweeping the meeting house for ye year ensuing." Saml Gibson
ami Samuel Stow were a " commity with John Warner to look
after t he schoole and to hire a school master or school dame as
they shal think fit and most for ye Society's advantage." It will
be seen that Mrs. Smith with a husband and three children to
care for kept school three months in this year for £5. In what
house the school was kept is not known, but they voted a rate of
two pence upon the pound to earn on the Iniilding of the school-
house, "said rate to he paid in wheat at l 8 per bushel, rye at 3*
per bushel, and Indian corn at 2 s 6 d . Carpenttu-s for work to
receive 3' per day, other laborers 2" 6 d and for man and team of 4
cattell 5" per day." The former committee of the Bchool was or-
dered to pay over what is in his hand- to the present committee " to
be laid out for ye hem lit of the society in schooling."
HISTORY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 33
Jan. 14, 1716-17, a committee of seven was appointed " to treat
with the south society in Middletown respecting the old meeting
house in ye above s d society and to secure what part belongs to ye
north society." The former collector was so slow in passing over
the money due the society, according to the auditors' report filed
Feb. 29, 1715-16, that Samuel Gibson, Samuel Stow and John
Warner were specially charged " y l ye com" now to take care of
the school shall have full power to demand the above said money
in the hands of ye former com" and to use all lawful means for
ye recovery of ye same for the benefit of the society in schooling."
Dec. 17, 1717, it was agreed that the society should have a
" wood bee," and a time was to be set for the same and the
" inhabitants warned " of the same.
Daniel Stocking and John Warner were appointed a committee
to give Mr. Joseph Smith " a deed of the house and lot upon his
paying for the glas and the nails." This deed is dated Jan.
3, 1717 (1718) and is recorded on page 369, vol. 3, Middle-
town Land Records. He was to furnish the " glass and the nails "
for the house now occupied by Mr. William E. Greaves.
On May 5, 1718, the society appointed Lieut. William Savage
to act in behalf of the society at the General Assembly " to be held
in Hartford the 8th instant" with respect to the petition of the
" great swamp men or northwest quarter respecting the minis-
terial charg and parrish charge mentioned in s d petition." The
families who had settled in the extreme northwest part of the
town desired to attend the Great Swamp Church (Kensington now)
and to help support that church and so be relieved of contributing
to the North Society Church. The General Court granted the
request of those living within one and a half miles of the north-
west corner of the town.
Dec. 4, 1718, "The society then by a unanimous voat agrees
to burn the proposals that m r Joseph Smith sent to ye meeting
March the 26: 1714 with respect to his settlement" and increased
his salary to £70 and firewood.
Dec. 28, 1719, it was voted to elect officers by "raising hands"
and John Warner, Jr., was elected clerk. May 13, 1720, " agreed
to hire a school dame two months to make up their half years
schoole for this present year," lest they would forfeit their town
rate.
Nov. 15, 1720. It was voted to have a " 1. pence rate to defray
the charge of getting Mr. Smiths fire wood which rate is to be
paid in wood at 3 s pr load and to be carryed to m r Smiths at or
before the 15th of Jan. next, or to pay in cash to the committee."
Dec. 27, 1720. The minister is to be paid in " contry rate "
34 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
as stated by the General Court in money or grain, and to receive £70
a year since he settled.
Dec. 11, 1721. The annual meeting is to begin at 8 in the
morning. The minister's salary goes to £75 for the year past,
and those who failed last year to bring in their wood are to be
warned. Salary is to be paid before the last day of March in money
or grain as it generally passes at the time or as they can agree
with Mr. Smith. Nathaniel Clark and Daniel White, Jr., are " to
look after the children and youth on the Sabath in the time of
publick worship." Thomas Eanney is to have 26s for beating the
drum and sweeping the meeting house, and " the society agreed
to seat their meeting hous."
March 14, 1723. Thomas Stow (Jr.), must have been a supe-
rior workman, for he is to have 3s. 6d. per day for work, and the
others 2s. 9d. And a division of labor is made, for Nathaniel
Eanney is to beat the drum for 15s. and Thomas Eanney is to
have 15s. for sweeping the house and shutting the windows and
doors after the public worship is ended.
Dec. 14, 1724, the minister's salary goes up to £80 and Widow
Scovil has her rate abated. The land where her house stood on
the bank of the great river at the end of the Nuiks road has long
since been washed away.
Dec. 13, 1725. Joseph Eanney gets 14s for sweeping the
meeting house the year coming, and Nathaniel Eanney is to have
16s for beating the drum " if he can be obtained," otherwise the
committee is to hire one as cheap as they can. The demand for
better schooling facilities seems to have arisen, for it was voted
" to any person or persons in this society to improve the school
house for schooling their children at any time when the Society
I ia Hi not need to make use of it for to keep their half years
school in."
Dec. 12, 1726, the salary goes up to £85. The term " deacon " is
first used in the records in referring to Deacon Samuel Gipson.
Mr. Smith is to have £15 more and gel his own wood.
The nex1 matter of interest for the north side was in a town
meeting held only a week later, Dec. 19, 1726, when John Shep-
herd and Thomas Savage were appointed tything men '"for the
north Bide." Their authority and duty was " When they discover
any of the youth disorderly on the Sabath especially in the time
of divine worship they shall bring every anch youth on the space
at or near the foot of the galery Btayers in view and cans s d youth
there to Btand nntill di\ine worship he over in pnhlick."
The meeting of Dec. l'.\ L726, had another yeiy important
matter for considerat ion.
HISTORY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 35
" Voted that the present committee of the Society shall make
demand of what money deacon Samuel Stow hath in his hands
and what is yet to gather of the half penny rate that he was to
collect for the finishing of the meeting hous and to use all lawful
means for the recovery of the same and to lay it out for the re-
pairing the meeting house and the school house."
At a town meeting held Dec. 1, 1729, there was quite a dispute
about the tax rate and it was decided by an aye and nay : " 43
for itt. 33 against it."
Feb. 2, 1729-30. The school is to be kept 3 m by a school-
mater and 3 m by a " school mistris " and the money allowed by the
town and country shall be divided among them " according to "their
ways and when necessary to raise money on poles to defray the
charge of s d half years school it shall be raised upon the pools
of all that go to any part of the half years school equally and
that this shall be a standing rule."
It was voted on Feb. 2, 1729-30, that the annual meeting
should be held the first Monday in November and the hour was
"to begin at noon." But on Nov. 2, 1730, the annual meeting
was " very thin, thought fit to aiourn and it was aiourned until
Monday the ninth of this instant at one of the clock in the
afternoon." At this adjourned meeting John Warner, he of the
account book, the gravedigger, the public officer, was continued as
" dark." The salary goes up to £95 and " to allow 5 s pr load for
wood."
Still the wood question is a burning one, even before the wood
is delivered, for on Nov. 16, 1731, Joseph Frary is to be collector
of firewood, " and if any person shall neglect or refuse to get
and carry to Mr. Smith his or their part of wood" the collector
shall have " full power to make destraint on such person for his
part of said wood."
On Nov. 24, 1731, the schoolmaster is to get two-thirds and the
school mistris one-third and Mr. Smith's salary goes up to £112.
"of which sum l d on £ is to be paid in wood at 5* per load."
Dec. 1, 1732, a half pence rate is voted to repair the school
house. (There does not seem to be any complaint that the school
is not supplied with wood.) Deacon Wilcock and two others arc
to call the former collectors to account for what they are behind
to use in repairing the schoolhouse. Nov. 21, 1734, " Deacon John
Wilcock was chose Moderator: § of the inhabitants of the North
Society declared that it was of necessity to build a new meeting
house in said society." Adjourned to "Wednesday, Nov. 28 at
sun down," at which adjourned meeting
36 MTDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
" Voted to build their meeting house fifty foot long and thirty
foot in width " and " to begin to get timber last of January or
l Bt of February next.
" to cover their meeting house with 18 inch shingles that is the
roff of it.
"whoever should disburse any towards the build of said meet-
ing house shall bring in his account to the clerk once in 14 days
on the Monday evening att his dwelling house." On June 6, 1735,
Deacon John Wilcock, Deacon Samuel Gipson and Thomas John-
son were the committee to build, but Deacon Wilcock declined to
serve and Samuel Shepard was appointed in his stead.
At the May session, 1735, of the Great and General Court, " on
memorial of the north society two-thirds had voted to build a new
meeting house and asked for a committee to view said society and
pitch upon a proper place to set up said house. The Assembly
appointed Messrs. Jabez Hamlin, Joseph Southmayd and John
Gaynes. Said committee reported that they had staked out the
place for sd house to be set on, which is about 10 feet northward
of the present meeting house. Wherefore this Assembly do enact
and order, that the said inhabitants shall set up their meeting
house at said place staked out as aforesaid."
The church as then erected stood out in the main highway.
Later it was moved back some distance, so that it did not inter-
fere with the present west side sidewalk.
Nov. 3, 1735, it was decided to build 55x30 feet and "23 be-
tween ioynts " and Thomas Savage, Francis Wilcock and John
Sage, Jr., were added to the building committee.
Mm rch 22, 1735 (1736), a committee was fully empowered to
use all lawful means to recover what money is in Deacon Stow's
hands and Thomas Tillotson's hands.
" Voted that what drink is expended in raising their meeting
house shall be born by the Society excepting what shall be drunk
with thoir victuals."
The Society is " divided into three parts to provide a dinner
for the raisers of the meeting hous, each part to provid the day
they are ordered to provid."
While the work of building this church occupies their attention
their pastor is called to his rest. Nov. 1, 1736, Deacon Samuel
Gipson was chosen moderator, bul declined, and Joseph Ranney,
Sr., was "chosen in his roome." Mr. Ranney was then 73 years
of age and had resided on what is now the Frisbie place since his
marriage 50 years before. No notice is taken by the meeting in the
way of passing resolutions of regret, bn\ "the society granted to
the Reverend Mr. Joseph Smith, deceased, £100, it being his due
HISTORY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 37
at the time of his decease." And a committee was appointed " to
take the advice of the ministers in order to looking out for a
minister for this society." " Candidating," even then, was in
vogue, as arrangements were made for " any of them to come and
preach to us in this Society."
The Eev. Mr. Brainerd preached for five Sabbaths and received
£10 19s. " for his preach to us." Mrs. Smith was in need of wood
and a committee was appointed " to agree with Mrs. Smith about
the wood in contest between Mrs. Smith and the society."
The Eev. Edward Eells, brother to the Rev. Nathaniel Eells of
Stonington, and son of the Rev. Nathaniel Eells of Scituate, Mass.,
came as a candidate, and on July 7, 1737, the meeting agreed " to
voat by holding up hands " to " improve M r ealls in the work of
the ministry further upon triall " ; and a committee was " Em-
powered to treat with M r ealls to know what he must have for
preaching amongst us already and what further trial and to treat
with M r eals upon terms of settlement." A rate of 2d. for " ex-
penses of triall already " was voted.
When Oct. 5, 1737, arrived the effort to bring Deacon Samuel
Stow to terms was successful, for " the Society quited deacon
Stow of 7 s 9 d of ye half penny rate he was chosen to colect Dec.
11 : 1721," and the other collectors had the same courteous let-
off. A rate of 12d. on pound was ordered, the levy being £1737,
so that £87 was to be raised. It was decided to finish the meeting
house before winter as far as possible. The Society agreed to pay
Mrs. Smith for five or six Sabbaths she claimed her husband was
never paid, but as to the claim for wood, the clerk was chosen with
the committee to
" 1 — treat with Mrs. Smith about the wood
2 — and agree with her
3 — or leave it to arbitration
4 — or to defend it in law if they cannot agree any other way."
It was decided to pull down the old meeting house and see what
timber that they think profitable for further finishing their new
meeting house.
At the same meeting they " made choice of the reverend M r
edward eales " to be their minister, and voted £400 for his encour-
agement to settle, and a salary of £100. Note the style of the
clerk, who was Capt. John Warner, gravedigger, weaver, and who
" filled many public offices."
In 1695 a meadow had been set off near Goose's Delight for a
" parsonage " — or land for the use of the parson. It now con-
sists of 27 acres of fine meadow, on the north bank of Sebethe River.
On Dec. 29, 1737, a committee was appointed " to take care of the
38 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
parsnage belonging to the north society in Middletown and to
settle the fence between the parsonage and the neighbors aioyning
to it. and it was agreed upon by the society that all male per-
sons of 12 years old and upward shall work one day att clearing
the parsonag when it is a convenient season."
A salary of £120 per year for three years and his firewood yearly
— after three years to rise £10 yearly, till it comes to £110 yearly,
and his firewood annually and more if his circumstances call for it,
" provided that the money holds its present currency but if the
valyation of the money rises or falls then to rise or fall accord-
ingly" — a wise precaution in the light of later fluctuations.
On July 20, 1738, three deacons were appointed " to discours
wiili m r ealcs as to his settlement with us and to apoint the time
for his ordination and all other things that are proper and cus-
tomary anticedien to ordination." He was ordained on Sept. 6,
1738; the sermon preached by his father was printed and a copy i< in
the Conn. Historical Society's Library in Hartford.
"Nov. ye 6 th 1738" John Shepard was chosen clerk. And on
Dec. 18, 1738, "Then John Shepard was sworn," and " sam Peek's
rate was abated for the first year to ye Rev. Mr. Edward Ealls."
A yearly school is now to be kept and the year is to be divided
into four quarters. The third quarter is to be kept by a school
" mistris." In addition to town and country money what is needed
to be raised each quarter on the " pooles." If a child go only one
day in a month he shall pay for that month. Each month to
begin the 1st day of the month, and the u old school house " is
to be repaired.
On Dec. 18, 1738, the petition of Joseph Ranney, Jr., Thomas
Johnson and others of the North Society was laid before a
town meeting, "praying the town to release all the title it may
have to a piece of common land, lying between Malachi Lewis
dwelling house and Thomas Stows, Jr., bounded South on com-
mon field or highway containing 6 or i acres, in order to pur-
chase the same for the Rev. Mr. Kdward Kelk" The request was
granted and the deed, Vol. 6, p. 81, Middletown Land Records,
says it contains eleven acres. This was on bhe wesl side of the
3tree1 from the cemetery. The well exists to-day. On the south
pari of this homestead the Rev. Mr. Eells built a mansion for his
son, Major Edward Eells, ami thru deeded it to him. It woe
for many years known as the Deacon William Ranney house,
whose tan \al- on the premises have left their impression to this
day.
.\hout this time the town was much interested in promoting
the increase of cattle for themselves, being fanners, as well as in
HISTORY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 39
looking out for the instruction of their children. At times the
same special tax for schools and for bulls was levied. But on Dec.
at, 1140, UO was voted for schools and £40 for bulls
On July 4 1740, the pew at the right hand of the front door
was assigned for the family use of Mr. " Eells," who had prob-
ably instructed the clerk how to write his name. Mrs. Smith
was released from paying her rate " for ye time past "
A number of townships had been laid out in the western part
of the colony and the proceeds were to be devoted to the support
of schools On Dec. 11, 1741, a committee was appointed to re-
ceive the bonds belonging to this Society and to lease out the same
again for the use of this Society.
At a town meeting held Dec. 22, 1740, John Kirby and Samuel
Shepard I were permitted "to sett a house 30x40 on the west side of
the north society school house in the highway for their conveni-
ence on Sabbath days." John Kirby lived four miles west, and
as there was no fire in the church they were thus privileged to
erect " Sabbath Day houses" where the comforts of a fireplace
gave them coals for use in getting dinner and in their foot-pans for
the afternoon service m the meeting house.
On Nov. 1, 1742, Thomas Johnson is chosen "dark" for said
Society, and Francis Wilcock, Hugh White and Ensign John
Sage were elected to order the prodentials in said Society" This
Mr. Johnson was a son of the man who in 1737 had cut 'the stone
for the Boston house of Thomas Handcock, he being the uncle
of John Hancock who lived in this house when he put his famous
signature to the Declaration of Independence. Young Thomas
Johnson may have helped to carve " Thomas and Lydia Hand-
cock into the corner stone of the mansion which stood a short
distance west of the Capitol, where Ginn & Co. have their book
headquarters. When this house was torn down in 1863 the corner
stone became the property of Henry Savage Chase and is now a
part of the gateway at the entrance to the Chase grounds in
Brookhne Mass. Mr. Chase was grandson of Capt. Timothy
Savage. (See Savage Familv.)
u "Joted to record in the society's book at all times coming all
the Receipts Procured or Given by the Committee of s d society"
1 he committee was empowered to settle with Mr. Joseph Smith" if
anything is due his father. A committee was appointed to "clear-
ing the Personage." Wood has gone up to Its. per load. A com-
mittee was duly appointed to apprize the loads « and if said com-
mittee shall judge any pretended to be under an Honest Load it
shall pass at the price that the committee shall prize it at. A rate of
3 for clearing the personage."
40 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
On Nov. 7, 1743, it was decided to keep school a whole year,
half the time by a schoolmaster, half the time by a school-
mistress, she to receive only half the compensation he was to re-
ceive. A committee was named and empowered " to hire a house
or houses, to keep the schoole in," and another committee " to
inspect our covenant with ye Rev. Mr Edward Eells and make
report," and the meeting adjourned " until the next Monday come
seven night at 12 of the clock."
The need of a new schoolhouse was fullv recognized on Nov.
21, 1743.
Jt was voted to build a school house.
A committee was appointed to build it.
The schoolhouse is to be 24 ft. x 18 ft.
Also to go on and finish the meeting house.
A rate of 12d for building the schoolhouse and finishing the
meeting house.
To add £10 10s to the Rev. Mr. Edward Eells' " sallery " the year
ensuing to make up for the fall of money.
The £10 10s in committee's hands to be used in purchasing a
•• grave cloath."
To take up three seats in each of the two square bodies in the
meeting house and make pews in their room.
On Nov. 5, 1744, £23 old tenor was added to the "sallery " this
year upon the consideration of the fall of money. And Jonathan
Ranney was allowed something more than the £100 already agreed
on for finishing the meeting house as the committee may decide.
He soon removed to Guilford, where he had found a wife years
before.
The town had become disposed to "improve sundry donations"
made to the school or schools in MMdletown by Messrs. Jasper
Clemcnce, Samuel Stow and Nathaniel White, "whether the s d
donations may (agreeable to the wills of the donors) be now divided
unto the several schools now agreed upon to be kept in the town
or whether they are (according to said wills) belong to one school
<>ols." So on Dec. 21, 1741. the matter was referred to a
committee. The properties were sold and the proceeds put into
two funds, and in L851 Cromwell received its share.
Nov. L9, 1745, (lie salary goes up to E202 "-Id tenor;' "If
any are hindered from coming t<> school by unavoydable providence
it shall be lefl in the Bresl of the Schoole committee to consider
them." The farmers in tin- uorthwesl part of the Society, now
East Berlin, were privileged to have a Bchool anil share the school
money, if they lived over Ljj miles from the schoolhouse.
<>n Nov. 3, 11 t6, the salary is £3G0, "to make good our cove-
HISTORY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 41
v a ll J ft 5 }? m " 1 H ° W man y cler ^ymen of to-day would be de-
the dollar! ^ ^^ baS6d ° n the P urchasin S P ower of
Nov. 7/ 1748, the salary is £440, and a school is to be kept the
whole year ten months in the society's schoolhouse and two months
in the northwest quarter at the dwelling house of John Savage,
now East Berlin In 1750 stone steps are to be procured for the
meeting house at discretion of the committee
Like the wood for Parson Smith, the "parsnage" meadow, out
of sight from a house in 1907, became the occasion of much trouble
F pll,Tnn yearS ' n S ° ?? . April 2 ' 1752 ' the Societ y offere * Mr.
hells £100 annually, old tenor, reckoning it according to silver at
Second Church and Sabbath Day Houses
£3 per ounce, if he would "give this society an aquitance of his
right in the personage during the time of his continuing to be
our minister. 6
nf^LV' ^ll N ?^ el Chauncey, graduate of Yale, and son
ol the Rev. Nathaniel Chauncey, the first graduate of Yale as also
the first pastor at Durham, descendant of President Chauncy of
Sm cZ - ge ' had i wt come to town > havin g married Mary
Aq] J ,f to £ m S> wkl ™ of John Stocking, who had died at
fetatia He was an important addition to the community and
™ f^fj° l h ,f commi ttee "to let out the donation money to the
"The First Monday after the Thanksgiving" is set as the day
to bring in wood." In 1754 the salary goes up to £470 and a
committee is appointed " to search records " to see if any inius-
tice had been done Mr. Eells as to " sallery." Wood is £4 per
42 MIDDLETOWN CTPPEB HOUSES
cord. The committee's report led the Society to add £50 to the
salary "in order to make good the damage he has sustained by
bad pay in time past." When the reader turns to the Eells fam-
ily record it will be seen that his efforts to educate a family de-
served the fullest liberal recognition.
By this time the grandchildren of the settlers had so well pop-
ulated the "road to Hartford" that a school was needed only
half a mile north of the church green, and it was thought best to
"have it as near the dwelling house of Capt. Joseph Kanney as
the" school committee can procure a suitable place." Five months
a school was to be kept in the schoolhouse and four months m
the " north part." „„«„ . ^■
In 1755 the Society had tired of paying Mr. Eells £100 in lieu
of the " personage," and after much controversy he " agreed to take
it back." A committee had made a report and the Society had
" voated it out." " Now we acknowledge that we are to blame and
have not treated Mr. Eells well in not sending a committee again/'
They then appointed a committee " to repare and to make Ditches "
and to " set a quick according to Mr. Eells Proposals in order to
taking the parsonage into his hands again and also to lay out
monev in subduing the parsonage." Mr. Eells' "proposals" are
then recorded, showing be owned land adjoining the "parsonage
meadow. The " quick " referred to a creek. The salary goes up
to £640 "old tenor" on Nov. 10, 1755; but on Nov. 10, 1756, it
goes down to £60 " lawful money/ 5 On the same day it was voted
to "build a new school house fourteen feel one way and seventeen
feet the other way to he set up a little northward from Captain
Joseph Panney's house." This schoolhouse was built, but of dif-
ferent dimensions. A.bou1 fifty years ago it traveled one mile to
become the ell of a house Located near Chestnut Brook It was
covered with oak plank 2\ inches thick, which are still there, put
on perpendicular-wise, and its appearance is given herewith.
Still the Balary question remains a burning one Nov. 8, 1760,
it is made £70, with £15 for last year's deficiency. But on Nov.
I. L761, Mr. Eells handed in a proposal which he himself entered
,m the Society's book, in which he proposed a Balary of £80 "to
avoid yearly disputes." He was willing "after the extraordinary
charges of the war are over" to begin at E70 and work up to
L-so' referrin" to the French-Indian War. in which many from
here were engaged and he was a chaplain. That this was " accepted
by a dear vote/ 5 is the clerk's record.
\\,v 2 L761, Daniel Stocking, known as "The Schoolmaster.
and a graduate of Yale, was chosen clerk and "sworn according
t i ;iw " It was voted to put a "window on the hack side of the
HISTORY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 43
meeting house against the pulpit for the benefit of the Rev. Mr.
Eells." Luke Stebbins and several others are to " tune the Psalms
in the meeting house in this Society for the year insuing." " The
West part of this Society was permitted to build them a school
house and to raise I s on the £ to help them."
"Voted that the limits of the Western School in this Society
should be bounded Eastwardly by the highway running north from
the house of Mr. Jared Shepherd to the Short Hills, so called."
This constituted the "northwest district" of the present town.
What was formerly " n. w. quarter" had become a part of the
Worthmgton Society, and later the East Berlin part of the town
of Berlin. It was settled by Upper Houses families. Its cemetery
was givn by Daniel Wilcox and is well kept.
"Voted that the Instructions for the Seaters of the meeting
house should proceed in the seating according to age, honor and
Interest."
Capt. Samuel Gaylord had been absent for six seasons engaged in
the French-Indian War, and when he returned he for some reason
asked to have his rate abated. This request was refused Nov. 8,
1762. John Clark was chosen to be gravedigger. The meeting
adjourned to the day after Thanksgiving, but when they met
Nov. 19 their dinner must have left them unfit to do business for
they "adjourned without date." In 1764 they decided "to agree
with a mason to build a stone chimney in the south schoolhouse."
In 1765 they met "by special warning to consider and vote relat-
ing to school money that is in the hands of Mr. Lawrence of
Canaan and other matters that may occur," and instructed the
committee on donations to this Society" to act in the affairs
of the monies that were left in the hands of Mr. Lawrence of
Canaan for this school. In 1766 they decided to alter both the
pews under the stairs, and in 1767 the "seaters are to seat the
galleries so far as they think proper."
Winter in those days without a fire in the church was winter
at the best, but the society's committee was instructed to repair
the meeting house "to make it comfortable in winter."
The growth of the population had been such, notwithstanding
that many had gone to Vermont, Western Massachusetts, and the
western part of the colony, that provision must be made for more
school accommodations; so there is issued a "Special Warning"
and on Christmas Day, 1770, the record as prepared by the clerk
reads ;
Voted, That the schools in this society for the future shall be
divided into four destricts.
44 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
1 Voted The North School is to include southward Mr. Com-
fort Butler and Mr. Nathaniel Riley. The Butler house is now
known as the "Wightman" house and Nathaniel Riley s house
stood where the Connecticut Home for aged veterans and their
*T Voted. 8 ' The South School is from Mr. RUeys southward to
the ferry bridge and westward to the brook called Wilcox Brook.
This is the brook which runs into the old quarry pond.
3 Voted. The West School is from Wilcox Brook excluding
Jerod Shepherd north to Wethersfield. m+fW»
4 Taking in Jerod Shepherd running west to the (Little)
River and north to Wethersfield line. .
Voted " That a school house should be built in the 3rd destnct
Dimensions 16 feet one way and 18 the other." Solomon Sage
to be the committee to build it. Capt. Plumb and Mr. Ozia,
Wilcox were to locate it. . . .
On the third Monday in November, 1771, Mr. Daniel Stocking
serves for the last time as " dark."
School committees and collectors were elected as follows :
Solomon Savage (an M. D., too) for the North District.
Edward Eells, Jr., for the 3rd District.
Aaron White for the 4th District. ......
And none named for the South or original district.
The committee was empowered to hire a room for the 3rd dis-
trict and the children of that district were permitted to attend
the South School district. The sum of £30 was to be raised for
building the schoolhouse in the 3rd district Edward Eells, Jr.,
was elected clerk. He enlisted in 1774 in the special emergency
troops, started for the seat of war the day after word came of
the battle of Lexington, served all ^^V Z^Z S ^
Bunker Hill and Yorktown; was one of the Founders of the So-
ciety of the Cincinnati, and sleeps beside his honored father Hi,
grave is marked with the bronze marker of the Society o ! the
Sons of the American Revolution as are thirty graves of other
patriots, whose bones rest within the limits of the North Society
while the memorial, of boulder, shells and cannon is m memory ol
more than fifty others born here, who served m the Revolution and
found graves elsewhere. Here is the style of Edward Eells, Jr.,
as clerk:
HISTORY OF THE UPPEE HOUSES 45
"Meeting of April 2:1772
1 Vote
J^K? ?*\ nei f hb ° rin g We *t school Districts should
come into one District and that there should be built one ppw
W s h h°o U urd t0 be aC nT m ^ 0date $? I ? 1StrictS and that tt neHchod
S t^r ar? Sr 1 -^ ^ ^ *** ^
T , n 2 Vote
one T t^ m d en 2 oTe S e t 4e th oth a e b r OTe "" h< "" Sh ° M " e M tet
Olo 3 V ° te
build T n gG 9nd J ° hn Sage are a PP° inted a committee to
„« ... , 4 Vote
inat the above house should be Built with brick.
rn, , 5 Vote
f ,\7 the twenty pounds that was voted in the 1771 to build
the West school house should be put to the use of the above voted
house with the two pound rearges » d
On Sept. 21, 1772. The Society reconsidered « ye 1 vote eon
cermng joynmg ye South District with ye dist *
Granted to ye South Destrict in order to help them to a
.chool house m ye Boom of ye old school house Destroyed by fire
£20 to be raysed by ye levy of this Society." J Y
On Monday, Nov. 9, 1772:
M- t ^ ^ " 3 v °te
Air. Joseph Frary and Mr. Abijah Savage are chosen for »
«tfM z^t of the s »* ^ tri et rJn-4
4 Vote
now h ln!Ss." SOUth DeStriCt SCh00 ' h ° USe Sh0u,d stod wh «™ «
t/TS. 8 ?"^ f , or the South - "I- Sa R e for the Third ™d
S,TS 8CtiT6ly ° ngaged ™ the War ° f tS ReVolS
Joseph Frary for the South, Hezekiah Panney for the North
tol^ SaVagG f0r - the West District are disWct commits
«S3? f rj ?*\ eminent as a surveyor, Hezekiah RanTy as a
schoolmaster will be written of elsewhere, as also Sage
46 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
who married Abiah Eells, daughter of John Bells and the widow
of Mordecai Lincoln, whose name on his tombstone is Lmkton.
They came here from Taunton, she being a niece ot the Kev.
Ed i V nd d h?re 1S ends the volume with a parchment cover. The next
volume of the Society's records is missing. The arrangement by
which a "Society" governed schools and the financial part of a
ohu ch coutoued till H95, when the General Assembly relegated
o each school district the management of its own afimj .and the
••Society" was restricted to managing the church s to™*,, in
1786 Hezekiah Ranney made a report showing he had taught the
combined South and West districts, giving t he number ot days
attendance on the part of the children of "£/%£* J""*
and the quantity of wood furnished by each head. lhi» report has
Ia Tne brTXtlhonse in the third or West District stood on
the old Connecticut State House, except that m M 18 !»J™ *£^
?he General Assembly and had the Society divided into five dis-
tricts bv dividing the North District into two so that the south 1
t J;:! ,',,:, £ L ™„l,iiv, and the town ,- .«a the follow-
ing petition:
"Sent o 1782 To the inhabitants of Middletown, to be
.JX ii town , ting Una day, Gentlemen. The cduca-
'.■■.m .'r <-l.il.lr.-.. »-.- look apon as a matter of great importance
HISTORY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 4?
& which in many places too very much neglected, & in order
that our children may no longer share in the common calamity,
we the subscribers have entered into a written agreement to
set up, support, & maintain at our own private expense, a
school to be steadily kept, both winter & summer, & having
no place on our land convenient as that spot on which one was
formerly built a few rods west of the meeting house, we there-
fore earnestly request the favor of this town, to grant us liberty
to build a house, on that spot of ground and as it cant possibly,
in any degree discommode the public nor any private person,
and as our design in its own nature is laudable & cant but meet
the approbation of every generous mind, so we flatter ourselves,
you will so far countenance our design, as cheerfully to comply
with our request.
" Nath 1 Eells ^ Com'ee
" Wm Sage I in behalf
" Timo Gibson I of the
J whole.
" Voted, That the memorialists have liberty to erect a School
house as mentioned above, during the town's pleasure."
The Rev. Gershom Bulkeley, graduate of Yale, was then minis-
ter of the North Society.
Isaac Gridley, a graduate of
Yale in the class of 1773,
'^^^^^^<x<^ !: ^ : ^^^>^ / ' where he was roommate of
Nathan Hale, the martyr
spy, had been teaching here
for some time. Other col-
lege graduates resided here.
The author of the petition was a master of good English. The
schoolhouse was erected and maintained as a private school within
the memory of the most aged persons residing here.
The village south of the church green and near the river was
very thickly settled, owing to the multiplication of ship yards,
and wharves and warehouses, the West India and other sea trade
having become the principal source of revenue. In 1808 a lot
was purchased for $105 and a two-story schoolhouse was erected
thereon which was in use till 1902. The name of " Bell School
House " had been given to it because of its having a bell. This
bell bears the inscription, " Jean Bazin, 1776." On one side is a
scene of the Crucifixion and on the other is a representation of
the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was probably brought by some one
of the dozens of sea captains from a French West India port. It
48 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
is about twelve inches in height and is kept at the Nathaniel White
School. At the 1903 celebration it rested on the boulder then
dedicated to the more than fifty Revolutionary patriots born here
and buried elsewhere. When the census of 1814 was taken the
following showed the number of children in each school district:
South, 120; North, 51; Nooks or Center, 16; Brick, 45; North
West, 45.
The spirit that had prompted the erection in 1782 of a private
school found further exercise in the formation of a debating society.
This society in 1810 became The Friendly Association. Its first
president was the Rev. Joshua Lewis Williams, who was elected
Feb. 20, 1810. He was frequently elected, as each president was
elected for only a short term. His last election was on March 2,
1830. Among its early presidents were William Walter Woodworth,
afterwards a clergyman; Dr. William Tully, later of Yale Medical
Faculty; Wm. C. Redfield, the father of the American Society of
Science and author of many works. The first volume of records
shows that 422 meetings had been held previous to March 29, 1831.
Then the second volume was opened showing that the 940th meet-
ing was held Jan. 10, 1860. The Rev. Zebulon Crocker, who suc-
ceeded Mr. Williams as pastor, was an active member till death
removed him. The most influential residents were active mem-
bers. They had a valuable library, and their frequent meetings
were not merely for debate, but for the presentation of original
essays and stories, for recitations and dialogues, and Mrs. Silas Sage
frequently regaled the audiences with her original poetry. The
annual exercises were as elaborate as those of a high school of the
present day, and were held in the meeting house. The result was
the following agreement :
" Whereas on the 15 day of August A. D. 1S34 the under-
signed subscribed to a paper the object of which was to ered
in Middletown North Society a suitable two Story Building foi
literary and religious purposes, the upper story or room to be
exclusively for the use of the Second Congregational Church &
Society in Middletown unless wanted as well as the lower room
for literary purposes — and whereas in accomplishing said object
land situated easterly of sd Society Meeting House has been
purchased of Israel Russell (the conveyance not yet having been
made) and a Building thereon creeled \<>w in order to au-
thorize the manner & form of the conveyance from said Russell
& thereafter the manner in which the Building & premises shall
be held we direct as follows — That the said Russell convev the
HISTOEY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 49
premises to Eben Wilcox Isaac Sage & Joseph Williams & the
persons who shall succeed them in the manner hereinafter speci-
fied forever in trust for the uses & purposes above expressed,
the places of the said Wilcox Sage & Williams in the execution
of said trust, in case of decease, or inability to act, to be sup-
plied by such person or persons as Richard Warner Stephen Mil-
drum & John Parmalee the com te of said Society or their suc-
cessors as such Committee forever, from time to time may ap-
point any & all stipulations in the original writing not herein
express" 1 or implied are recalled, dated at Middletown Mav 26,
1836."
This was signd by 44 persons, of whom the Rev. Zebulon
Crocker was one, and Dr. Richard Warner, Nath 1 Bushnell, Wm.
C. Redfield as com te & in behalf of 2 a Ecc Society, and Wm. R.
Stocking in behalf of the Friendly Association.
" In pursuance of the object expressed in the foregoing paper
dated May 26, 1836, by Joseph Williams & others executed &
especially for one hundred & forty dollars received to my full
satisfaction of the signers thereof I Israel Russell — grant, etc —
for the uses & purposes in said paper Specified forever in trust "
This was signed by Israel Russell on Dec. 1, 1836.
The friendly Association took two shares of the stock. The prop-
erty cost $1700. The Academy prospered for many years. The
teachers were:
Rev. Svlvester Judd, Yale 1835. 6 months.
Rev. John Lord Taylor, Yale 1836, 6 months
Rev. Richard F. Searle, Wesleyan 1835, 1 year.
Rev. Edgar J. Doolittle, Yale 1836, 1-J years, married dau. of
Deacon Israel Sage.
Rev. Isaac P. Warren, D. D., Yale 1838, 1£ years, married dau.
of Capt. Thomas Stow.
James Hanmer Francis, Yale 1826. 1 year.
Rev. George Thatcher, Yale 1840, 1 year.
Rev. Jared 0. Knapp, Yale 1840, 3 years.
Rev. R. D. H. Allen, Middlebury, 1841, 1 year.
Rev. Wm. S. Wright, Yale 1839, 5 years.
Joseph Bardwell Lyman, Yale 1850, 6 months.
Julius Y. Leonard, Yale 1851.
The Rev. Edward Eells died Oct. 12, 1776, and the Rev. Ger-
shom Bulkeley was installed June 17, 1778. He built, or his father
built for him, the house standing opposite the corner of the old
50 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
cemetery, now known as the Joseph Edwards place. He resigned
July 7," 1808, at which time he purchased the house built by Dea-
con" Samuel Stocking for his daughter Bethia, who had married
Thomas Stow. The Stow heirs in 1808 sold it to Mr. Bulkeley.
It stood about opposite the Methodist church.
The Rev. Joshua Lewis Williams was installed June 14, 1809,
and his pastorate ended with his death Dec. 29, 1832. He was
known as " Priest Williams." His great work was as President
of the Friendly Association. The Rev. Zebulon Crocker was in-
stalled May 2, 1833, and his pastorate ended with his death Nov.
14. 1847. ' In this short time he secured the building of the Acad-
emy, the present (brick) church, and the present (brick) par-
sonage. He maintained his interest in the Friendly Association
to the last. He left no children. The Academy, the Brick Church
and the Brick parsonage and the granite obelisk speak his worth.
In 1880 the Rev. Myron S. Dudley published the History of
Cromwell, which had its origin in his centennial, 1876, sermon to
which he made additions and issued it as a " Sketch." showing much
research. He died in 1906, having been an active member of the
New England Genealogical Society. From this " Sketch " the fol-
lowing tables are taken : .
The following is the roll of deacons who have served this church
since its organization:
Names.
Sam'l Hall,
W. Savage, "
S. Stow,
J. Wilcox
S. Gipson,
S. Shepherd,
I. White,
W. Savage,
T. Johnson,
J. Kirby,
S. Sage,
T. Gipson,
A. Sage,
J. Hubbard,
B. Parmelee,
J. R. Wilcoa
I. Sage,
];. Warner,
Appointed.
Feb. 10, 1716
a « '<
Ceased to Act. Remarks.
Jan. 25, 1727
Sept. 28, 1741
May 13, 1751
March 18, 1748
Dec. 3, 1745 April 9, 1750
Jan. 15, 1749 June 27, 1769
1774
Jan. 9, 1766 Dec. 26, 1774
Nov. 29, 1770 Sept. 12, 1783
Jan.. 26, 1775 June 7, 1795
Jan. 14, 1784 March 23, 1810
Feb. 22, 1790 March 23, 1810
Dec. 14, 1807 Aug. 23, 1808
Mar. 23, 1810 April (>, 1S22
July, 1817 Mar. 13, 1826
Nov. 11, 1822 Jan. 4, 1839
Oct. 89, 1826, Sept. 30, 1861
Jan. I. 1839 Sept. 1, 1843
Died, M 68
« " 76
Drowned
Died,iE 71
" " 74
" " 56
« " 64
" " 74
Resigned
Died,^ 63
Resi <xned.
Died, JE 49
Resigned
Died, M 75
Resigned.
HISTOEY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 51
MEMBERS ADDED UNDER JOSEPH SMITH'S PASTORATE.
1715-1736. 21 years.
By Profession, 53
" Letter, 21
Total, 74
Average 3. 5.
EDWARD EELLS'S PASTORATE.
1738-1776. 38 years.
By Profession, 116
" Renewal, 227
" Letter, 17
Total, 360
Average, 9.5 nearly.
GERSHOM BULKELEYS PASTORATE.
1778-1808. 28 years.
By Profession 69
" Renewal, 176
" Letter, 11
Total, 256
Average, 9.
J. l. williams's pastorate.
1809-1832. 23 years.
By Profession, 210
" Letter, 21
Total, 231
Average, 10.
z. Crocker's pastorate.
1833-1847. 14 years.
By Profession, 95
" Letter, 49
Total, 144
Average, 10.
52 MIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES
The Baptist Church
Luther Savage, a soldier in the War of the Revolution, having
removed to Hartford, became a Baptist. Josiah Savage, his brother,
also a patriot, had married Mary Roberts, b. Dec. 9, 1763, daughter
of Dr. Aaron Roberts and Hepzibah (Johnson) Shepard, widow of
Edward Shepard who was son of Lieut, and Deacon Samuel Shep-
ard and Mary Ranney. Dr. Roberts had bought the Mathias Treat
house, which had been the home of Edward and Mrs. Shepard.
Josiah Savage had bought the easterly part of the Treat homestead
including the Jonathan Frary " mantion " of 1760. Mrs. Mary
(Roberts) Savage, visiting Luther Savage in Hartford, became im-
bued with Baptist principles and was immersed there in Park
River. She began an active campaign among her friends and
neighbors, holding meetings in her own home and elsewhere. It
was at a time when there was a revolt against the rigid rules of the
" established order," the Congregational Church. As a result a
number became members of the Hartford Baptist Church. On
January 19, 1802, a meeting was held at the house of Comfort
Panney and his wife, Ruth Treat, at which steps were taken to-
wards the organization of a church. Elder Eber Moffatt of
Stephentown, New York, had evidently been laboring here. He
and Capt. Timothy Savage, a younger brother of Luther and
Josiah, were chosen to write a letter to the Hartford church. It
was dated January 29, 1802. As a result the Hartford church
gave letters dismissory to Comfort Ranney and wife Ruth Treat;
Timothy Savage and wife Sarah Collins; Eleazar Savage, Stephen
and John Treat; Sarah Savage, later wife of Col. Josiah Sage and
sister of Timothy; Percy Savage, another sister; Mary Roberts
Savage; Mary Savage, later wife of Simeon Ranney; Ruth (White)
Ranney, wife of Joseph Ranney; and Willard Ranney, brother of
Comfort.
Deacon John Bolles, Samuel Beckwith and Luther Savage were
delegated to sit in council with the members from Upper Houses
on Saturday, Feb. 6, 1902, Elder Moffatt, Elder Nehemiah Dodge
of New London, and brother Enoch Green of the Middletown Bap-
tist chinch were members of the council.
March 30, L803, at the home of Capt. Timothy Savage, they
adopted the " New Hampshire Confession of Faith." A committee
applied to the town for a Location on which to build a church. The
town's committee reported in favor of a location on the West
Green, nine rods northwest of the "Brick" schoolhouse. The
town meeting gave permission to build two rods further north.
.HISTOEY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 53
The size of the church is to be seen from the marks indicating
the foundation. The corner stone, a rough boulder, is still to be
seen there. Elder Moffatt died in 1804, and his grave in the old
cemetery is marked with a headstone.
Soon after the organization of the church, William Ranney,
brother to the Joseph named above, and wife Olive Hamlin, a
descendant of the Rev. Joseph Smith, the first pastor of the Con-
gregational Church, became members. He was a tanner occupying
the house built by Rev. Edward Eells for his son, Major Edward
Eells. His zeal in the church led to his house being termed " The
Minister's Tavern." He was a deacon for many years. His grand-
son, Rev. Edwin H. Ranney, licensed by this church March 29 1852,
delivered an address on his " Early Reminiscences " on July 19,
1905, before the Society of Middletown Upper Houses, and which
is to be found in this volume.
Late in his life, 1826, Josiah Savage was received into the
church. His son, Jesse, removed to Hartford, became a prominent
member of the First Baptist Church, and was very successful in
business. His daughter, Mrs. Cornelia Savage Chase, in her
lifetime gave $100,000 to various Baptist enterprises and by her
will left $500 to the Cromwell Baptist Church and $500 to care for
the Savage and Gridley lots in the old cemetery.
In 1833 the old church was brought to the village and located
just north of the present bank building. In 1853 the present
edifice was erected. The pastors and people of this church have
been very courteous to the Society of Middletown Upper Houses
in assisting at the various reunions and in voting to give tlie
use of the church for its reunions.
The Cemeteries
Previous to the laying out of a cemetery in Upper Houses, Janu-
ary, 1713, new style, all burials were in Riverside Cemetery, " South
side." The railroad has encroached from time to time upon this
old cemetery until the greater half of it lying next to the river
has disappeared. In the remaining part are the headstones and
footstones of Capt. Nathaniel White and his first wife, and of
David Sage.
As Thomas Ranney died in June, 1713, it is presumed that he
may have been the first buried in the Upper Houses. The town
record says he died June 25. His tombstone says he died June
21, the "1 " being reversed. Later the cemetery was enlarged on
the north end where marble headstones show the later fashion.
54 .MIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES
There is a cemetery fund of twelve hundred dollars conveyed to
the town in 1885, of which a thousand dollars came from the estate
of Miss Mary Ann Latimer. Under the leadership of the Eev.
Myron L. Dudley, Mr. Ralph B. Savage, Mr. Elisha T. Sage, and
Mr. Bulkeley Edwards, the citizens were aroused to put the ceme-
tery in proper condition, which was done in 1880. Miss Fanny
Gridley of Northampton, Mass., contributed $20 to cover the
cosj of renewing the inscription on the table stone of her ances-
tor, the Rev. Joseph Smith, the Church having previously voted
to renew the inscription, the leaden insert having been appropriated
at some time, probably for the making of bullets, as was done
with the leaden one to John 2 Sage and his wife Hannah Starr. The
annual town meeting, on Oct. 3, 1881, had solemnly pledged itself
to accept any gifts for the cemetery and to use the interest thereof
to "protect, clean and beautify " the burying yard. In 1902 an
iron fence was erected in place of the picket one erected in 1880. By
the will of Mrs. Cornelia Savage Chase the town received $500, less
the State tax, netting $476, the interest of which is to be used to
care for the Savage and Gridley lots. The growth of the northwest
section of the town calling for a cemetery, Israel Kelsey sold to
the town on January 20, 1802, " for a burying ground " ten rods
front and rear and seven rods deep, etc., " reserving to myself and
my heirs the grazing of sd piece of land yearly for small stock
only such as sheep and calves." The first burial in this lot was
of Aaron White, who had served in the French-Indian War and
in the War of the Revolution.
In Time of War
He who " came to bring a sword " knew that human rights
must be maintained " by the sword." Hardly had Windsor, Hart-
ford and Wethersfield been settled than the Pequots determined to
exterminate the settlers. Under Capt. Mason, in 1G37, a force
was successfully sent against them. Among those who went from
Hartford was William Bloomfield who soon after helped to settle
the Upper Houses.
In 1746 a regiment of Connecticut troops was organized to co-
operate with other forces to attack Canada. This regiment was
to have proceeded against Louishurg but got only as far as New
Loudon. The muster roll found in England a few years ago
shows that several enlisted in litis regiment from the Upper Houses,
and from Ka-t MTiddletown settled in 1710 from the Upper Houses.
The French-Indian War, L755-64, had its Bcene of action in
Northern New York, and the Upper Houses with its limited
HISTOKY OF THE UPPER HOUSES
55
population seems to have generously contributed of its men and
means. The Connecticut Historical Society has issued two vol-
umes giving a record of those who served in this war. Among
these was Amos Savage who lost his powder horn there. A century
later an Indian presented that powder horn to a member of the
Savage family and it is now the property of Mr. James Francis
Savage of Lowell, Mass. The illustration of this horn was done
by the daughter of Mr. Savage in her fifteenth year. Amos Sav-
age served also in the War of the Revolution and is buried here.
Some others who were in the French-Indian War served also in
the Revolutionary War, as will be seen by a comparison of the
lists given. East Middletown, across the river from the Upper
Houses, was so intimately allied that the names here given include
those from that settlement.
Capt. Joseph Savage, Quartermaster Comfort Sage, Capt. Sam-
uel Gaylord and Lieut. Samuel Stow were the chief officers. Capt.
Gaylord served six years. The following additional names will
be found in the volumes referred to :
William Banks
John Gibson
John Gibson, Jr.
Churchill Edwards
John Collins, died Nov. 3,
1762
Josiah Savage, corporal.
Jonathan, Stow, trumpeter
Simeon Stow
Giles Stow
Solomon Sage
Samuel Lewis Sage
Jonathan Sage
Giles Sage
Gideon Sage
Jedediah Sage
Amos Savage
Samuel Stow Savage
Nathaniel Savage
Solomon Savage
Daniel Savage
Thomas Savage
Stephen Savage
Ebenezer Savage
Lamberton Stocking
Stephen Ranney, East Mid-
dletown
Stephen Ranney, Upper
Houses
John Ranney, died Sept. 18,
1760, in his Majestie's
Hospital, Oswegatchie
John Ranney, Jr.
Nathaniel Ranney
Hezekiah Ranney
Jeremiah Ranney, died Oct.
23, 1762
Richard Ranney
Thomas Ranney
Timothy Ranney
Willett Ranney
John Robinson
Aaron Roberts
Jared Shepard
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith, Jr.
John Treat
Nathaniel Wilcox, died Nov.
17, 1762
56 MIDDLETOWN" UPPER HOUSES
Amos Stocking John Wilcox
Jonathan Stocking Joseph White
Zebulon Stocking Thomas White
Marshall Stocking Ebenezer White
George Stocking Moses White
Elijah Stocking Stephen White
Jabez Eanney Wm. White
Edward Eanney Wm. White, Jr.
•Samuel Bannev, died in armv Samuel White
Aug, 21, 1758 Waitstill Wilcox
Ozias Eanney
THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION
The many who had served in the French-Indian War and had
survived served as a rallying center when there was prospect of
a conflict with the Mother Country. The Great and General
Assembly strengthened the militia and many enlisted in it in 1774.
In Middletown sixty aged gentlemen organized to " practice the
military art."
At " near ten o'clock " a. m. of April 19, 1775, the Massachusetts
Committee of Safety started Israel Bessel to Connecticut with the
news that a battle had been commenced. The news reached Hart-
ford and Middletown on the 20th, and on the 21st a company of
militia under Capt. Eeturn Jonathan Meigs and a troop of horse
under Capt. Comfort Sage started, being ferried over the river
at Hartford, and were gone eight days on what is known as the
expedition " for the relief of Boston." No rolls were preserved,
but of Capt. Comfort Sage's company the names of Lieut. Charles
Bulkeley who later married a Eanney, Quartermaster Eli Butler,
and Corporal Edward Eells are given.
On April 20, Governor Trumbull summoned the General Assem-
bly to convene on April 26. This session, lasting ten days, autho-
rized the enlistment of six regiments, with officers' commissions to
date from May 1. The Second Eegimcnt was raised in Middle-
town and vicinity. Part of them wore in the Battle of Bunker
Mill. In September part were detailed in the attempt to capture
Quebec. This battle on Dec. 31 was a disastrous failure. Mam
were captured, including Lieut. Abijah Savage who was held a
prisoner for 11 months. On his release he raised a company and
served three years.
I. ale in 1775 the army was reorganized as the "Continental
Army" and this constituted the "regulars" of the war. Early
in 1776 many militia regiments were raised for 7 months' service,
Colonel Return Jonai
(See page 56)
an Meigs
GENERA1 [SBAEL I 'i l \ A
HISTORY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 57
and just after the disastrous battle of Long Island on Aug. 27,
1776, many more troops were rushed to the front. And so the long
war went on.
The census of the colony by school districts was taken on the
first Monday in September, 1776. Middletown, after losing in
1767 all its territory east of the river to form the town of Chat-
ham, remained larger in population than either Hartford or New
Haven. The census of Middletown as a whole, and that part of it
constituting the Upper Houses, showed the following :
U. HO. MIDDLETOWN
Males under ten 129 736
Females under ten 113 736
Males between ten and twenty, married
Males between ten and twenty, single 87 576
Females between ten and twenty,married 11
Females between ten and twenty, single 75 600
Males between twenty and seventy, married 106 679
Males between twenty and seventy, single 32 268
Females between twenty and seventy, married . . 106 706
Females between twenty and seventy, single. . 58 390
Males above seventy, married 6 38
Males above seventy, single 3 7
Females above seventy, married 6 23
Females above seventy, single 12 39
Negro males under twenty 2 47
Negro females under twenty 7 49
Negro males above twenty 5 62
Negro females above twenty 7 43
Total 754 5037
Officers and soldiers in Militia rolls 69 588
Able bodied men between 16 and 45, not in
Militia rolls 30 104
Men in Continental Army 28 202
Men raised for defense of the Colony and now
in the Colony 1 5
It is not the province here to give even a local history of the
contest, save to say that many volunteered to care for the fami-
lies of officers. William White, who had served in the French-
Indian war, cared for four families of officers. The smallpox in
the days of the war was a dreadful and a dreaded disease. The
town voted that any who wished could be inoculated. The fol-
lowing was addressed " To the Civil Authority and Selectmen of
Middletown," and the autograph of the petitioner is copied from
the original document which is endorsed, " N". Chauncey's motion
negatived."
58 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
" Middletown upper houses, Feb y 4 th 1778
Gent D .
I am desired to inform you that M r William Sage and all
those who have lately been Inoculated at his House are extremely
desirous that they may be allow'd to go through with the whole
opperation without removing from that place not only on ace
of y e Difficulty, Danger and Expens such a movement; but also
and principally on acct of y e peculiar Situation of that place
for such a Purpose; it being so Distant from Neighbours, and
public Roads and there being a large Joyner's shop well fin-
ished and Warm with a good lire place in it about (1) Rods
from y e Dwelling House, excellently calculated for y e Purpose
of cleaning up in. I must beg leave Gent n to give it as my
Opinion that the place is indeed very convenient and y e forego-
ing plan much prefferable to any that has yet been thought of
to avoid y e Danger of spreading the Infection I am Gent n y r
most obed 1
<^y z>
In 1889 the State published a " Record of Connecticut Men
in the Military and Naval Service during the "War of the Revolu-
tion, 1775 — 1783." So many rolls have been discovered since then
that the Connecticut Historical Society has published one volume
and has material for another volume. The church records say,
" Heard of the death of »— " on such a date. Town records
give such as this : " Daniel Wilcox died in ye camp at Roxbury,
April 10, 1776." In 1876 a committee of the town, consisting
of David Edwards, who was 25 years of age when his patriot
father died; Ralph B. Savage, grandson of patriot Nathaniel Sav-
age, and Elisha T. Sage, grandson of patriot Elisha Sage, all aged
men, reported a list of those known to have served in the war. This
book contains the portrait of Daniel Eells. who was a prisoner in
Bermuda, yet no known roll contains his name. The Colonial
records give the names of those commissioned. The printed rec-
ords end with 1780. The manuscript records of 1781-82 show that
Josiah Savage was commissioned captain in t lie 23d Regiment,
which was composed of Middletown and Chatham men and give
a number of others commissioned. From these various sources, with
the records of Massachusetts and Vermont, the compiler has made
out the list, given here, of those who served in the war, having
been born here or, having removed away after the war. are buried
HISTORY OF THE UPPER HOUSES
59
here. There has been an effort to omit the names of any not
coming under one of these heads.
OFFICERS
Colonel Comfort Sage.
Brev. Major Edward Eells.*
Captain Solomon Sage.*
Captain Josiah Savage.*
Captain Jared Shepard.
Captain Jairus Wilcox.
Captain Ephraim Ranney.
Captain Abner Smith.*
Lieutenant Jeremiah Hubbard.*
Lieutenant Jedediah Sage.
Lieutenant Ephraim Ranney.
John S. Chauncey, killed Dec. 14,
1777, after surrendering.
Francis Clark.
Benj. Butler.
Oliver Clark.
John Hamlin.*
David Edwards.*
Churchill Edwards.*
Nathan Edwards, died in pris-
on, July 22. 1782.
John Gibson.
Jacob Gibson.
Hosea Miller.*
Daniel Pardee.*
Justus Riley.
Joseph Riley.
Nathaniel Riley.
Aaron Roberts.
John Robinson, killed at Nor-
walk, July 11, 1779.
Evan Thomas.*
Amos Treat.
Stephen Treat.
John Treat.
Jobn Smith, prisoner, died Feb.
20. 1780.
Surgeon Stephen Ranney.
Captain Eli Butler.
Captain Nathaniel Gilbert.
Captain Abijah Savage.*
Captain Hugh White.
Captain Samuel Eells.
Captain Nathan Sage.
Lieutenant Jacob White.*
Lieutenant Elisha Savage.
Lieutenant Samuel Smith, died
in prison Julv 2, 1782.
Daniel Eells.
John Eells.
John Hands.*
Seth Kirby.
John Kirby.
Elijah Kirby, prisoner, died
July 7, 1782.
Samuel Gaylord.
Jonathan Gaylord.
Comfort Ranney.
Nathaniel Ranney.*
William Ranney.
Thomas Ranney, Corporal.
Daniel Ranney.
Amos Ranney.
Ebenezer Ranney.*
Willett Ranney.
Joseph Rannev, prisoner, died,
July 22, 1780.
Simeon Ranney.*
Solomon Sage, Jr.*
Simeon Sage.
Giles Sage, Corporal.*
Abraham Sage.
Willett Ranny Sage, died of
smallpox in army.
Buried here.
60
MIDDLETOWN" UPPER HOUSES
James Smith.*
Joseph Smith.*
Stephen Savage.
Josiah Savage, Jr.*
Luther Savage.
Levi Savage.
Jacob Savage, Sergeant.
Seth Savage.
Gideon Savage.
Simeon Savage.
Nathan Savage.
Eliaha Savage.
Nathaniel Savage.*
Samuel Savage.*
Amos Savage, Ensign.*
Joseph Savage, Ensign.
Solomon Savage.
Selah Savage.
Thomas Savage.
Hiel Savage.
Francis W. Savage.
Samuel Stow Savage.
Joel Savage.
Daniel Savage.*
Hugh White, Jr.. Ensign,
Justus Wilcox.
Amos Wilcox.*
Daniel Wilcox, died in ve camp
at Eoxbury, Apr. 10,' 1776.
Reuben Wilcox.
John Smith.*
Epaphras Sage.*
Elisha Sage.*
Stephen Sage.
William Sage, Ensign.*
Daniel Sage.
Benj. Sage.
Abner Sage.
Gideon Sage.
Miles Sage.
Elisha Stocking.*
John Stocking.
William Stocking.*
Joseph Shepard.
Samuel Stow, killed on ship,
Apr. 12, 1780.
William Stow, died Oct. 2, 1782.
Jonathan Stow.*
Samuel White.
Daniel White.
Daniel Clark White.
Aaron White, Corporal.
Reuben White, died Jan. 2,
1780.
Asa Wilcox, heard of his death
at West Point, Sept. 30, 1781.
Lemuel Wilcox.
Eliphalet Wilcox.*
Elisha Wilcox, Ensign.
After the war the great majority of these patriots went to
Massachusetts, Vermont, New York or Ohio to found new settle-
ments and arc there buried.
WASHINGTON I'VSSKS TIIKOMill Till' I'lTKR HOUSES
From the diary of General George Washington, in the posses-
sion of the James F. Joy Estate of Detroit, the following extracts
were made for use in this volume. As he passed through the
streets of 1650 and on to Hartford, he passed the house in which
Gideon Savage was born and then lived, and in so doing may have
* Buried here
■ -
2-
-
HISTORY OF THE UPPER HOUSES 61
shaken hands with the " artificer," whose diary, printed herein,
confirms the family tradition that he huilt the log cabin in which
" Lady Washington " took her meals at Valley Forge.
" Monday, October 19th, 1789.— About 10 o'clock, we left this
place, and at the distance of eight miles passed through Durham.
At 1, we arrived at Middletown on Connecticut river, being met
two or three miles from it by the respectable citizens of the place,
and escorted in by them. While dinner was getting ready, I took
a walk around the town, from the heights of which the prospect
is beautiful. Belonging to this- place, I was informed (by a
General Sage) that there were about 20 sea vessels, and to Weth-
ersfield, higher up, 22, and to Hartford the like number; other
places on the river have their proportion, the whole amounting to
about 10,000 tons. The country hereabouts is beautiful, and the
lands good. An average crop of wheat from an acre of fallowed
land is estimated at 15 bushels; sometimes they get as high as
25 and 30 bushels to the acre from the best lands. Indian corn
from 20 to 40 bushels per acre. Their exports are the same as
from other places, together with potash. Having dined we set
out with the same escort (who conducted us into town) about 3
o'clock for Hartford, and passing through a parish of Middletown
and Weathersfield, we arrived at Hartford about sundown. . . .
" Hartford is more compactly built than Middletown, and con-
tains more souls ; the computed number of which amount to about
double. The number of houses in Middletown is said to be 250
or 260, these reckoning eight persons to a house would raise two
thousand at least. The depth of water which vessels can bring
to the last place is about ten feet; and is as much as there is
over Saybrook bar. From Middletown to Hartford there is not
more than 6 feet of water. At Middeltown there is one Episcopal
and two Congregational churches."
On his return he passed through Berlin, formerly the northwest
quarter of the Upper Houses. Fuller's Tavern in after years was
kept by Amos Kirby, and is seen in this volume.
" Left Hartford about seven o'clock and took the middle road
(instead of the one through Middletown which I went) breakfasted
at Worthington, in the township of Berlin, at the house of one
Fuller, bated at Smith's on the plain of Wallingford, thirteen from
Fuller's, which is the distance Fuller's is from Hartford, and
got into New Haven, which is thirteen miles more, about half an
hour before sundown. At this place I met Mr. Geary in the stage
62 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
from New York, and he gave me the first certain account of the
health of Mrs. Washington."
war of 1812.
Captain Isaac Webber, a shipbuilder here, raised a company and
proceeded to Saybrook at the mouth of the river. In his company
were Harvey and Martin Eanney, both of whom died young and
are buried here.
THE SOCIETY OF
MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
THE SOCIETY OF
MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
For some years the compiler of this volume had been gathering
material concerning the early families of this place, and with
special reference to the Eanney family. When it had been decided
by the town to erect a fine town school edifice to supplant the
district system he suggested that the school should be named after
Captain Nathaniel White, who, by his will of 1711, had given
one-fourth of his share of the as yet undivided common lands for
schools. This was done by a unanimous vote passed at a special
town meeting held on Jan. 6, 1902, the day on which the school
edifice was first used. A plan to have a reunion of descendants
of the old families in the month of June was broached, but the
compiler decided to defer it for a year. In 1903, a reunion was
held on Bunker Hill Day, June 17, and a boulder was dedicated
to the memory of the patriots of the War of the Eevolution who
were born here, but found a grave elsewhere, some on the battle
field, some from the hospitals, others from the prison ships, and
the greater number in the newer settlements they had made in
other states. Bronze markers had been donated by the Connec-
ticut Society of the Sons of the American Eevolution. A number
of members of Mansfield Post, No. 53, G. A. E., of Middletown,
honored us with their presence and sympathy. A Eanney Asso-
ciation was formed with E. B. Eanney of New Castle, Pa., as
President, S. 0. Eanney of Windsor Locks, and Charles K. Eanney
of Hartford as Vice Presidents, and C. Collard Adams as Secre-
tary-Treasurer. Among those present was the Eev. Edward Eells,
descended from Major Edward Eells, who had served from the
21st of April, 1775, to the close of the war, and who, with his
father, Eev. Edward Eells, the second pastor of the church, are
buried here.
On Bunker Hill Day, 1904, a much larger gathering was held,
with an exhibit of relics brought from far and near, a pilgrimage
through the original streets, and a sumptuous repast provided
by sympathetic villagers. A procession was formed, headed by
the drum corps of Mansfield Post, G. A. E., with nearly one
hundred members of the Post and of the W. E. C, together with a
hundred children, each carrying a flag, followed by the descend-
ants. The march was to the cemetery, where recitations were
65
66 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
delivered by Miss Anna Pease and Master John Neal. Thirty
girls and boys placed silk flags at the graves of that many pa-
triots, some of whom had fought at Bunker Hill. The mortar and
shells were unveiled by the Misses Florence Taylor and Julia
Mosher, descendants of patriots. The graves of the first five
pastors of the Congregational Church and of the first pastor of
the Baptist Church had been previously marked with flags. Ex-
ercises were then held in the Baptist Church.
The Hon. Walter C. Faxon, Governor of the Connecticut So-
ciety of Founders and Patriots, read a letter of congratulation
from Admiral Dewey, Governor General of the Order of Founders
and Patriots of America, which was as follows :
NAVY DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF
THE ADMIRAL OF THE NAVY
MILLS BUILDING
Washington, June -A, 1904.
Dear Sir:
It gives me great pleasure, as Governor General of the Order
of Founders and Patriots of America, to extend hearty greet-
ings to the Ranney Memorial and Historical Association, which
is to have a celebration in honor of the Founders, Fathers and
Patriots of Middletown Upper Houses. I believe that historical
and patriotic societies such as these are doing a great work,
and one that future generations cannot fail to appreciate.
Very truly yours,
-uS^t^<z--p^
He then delivered an address on tbe functions of the Society, of
which he was the Connecticut presiding officer.
The Rev. D. B. Eubbard, pastor of the Westfield Congrega-
tional Church, the Rev. Edward Eells, the Rev. James Eells, both
descendants of the second pastor, the Hon. James H. Macdonald,
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 67
State Highway Commissioner, the Rev. C. H. Hands, pastor of
the Baptist Church, and Miss Clara C. Fuller, descendant of
Aaron White, patriot, delivered addresses. Miss Fuller spoke as
follows on
The Daughters of the American Revolution
Mr. President, Members of the Association of Founders and
Patriots, Citizens of Middletown Upper Houses. We are not in
Cromwell to-day. Involuntarily I go back many, many years,
when as a little child I sat by my grandfather's side and listened
to the stories of the good old times. I think it must have been
then that the love of ancestry, the seeds of patriotism, were im-
planted in my heart. All those early associations clustered around
Lanesboro, Pittsfield, Bolton, but above all and beyond all — Mid-
dletown Upper Houses.
I am here to-day — so I am scheduled to speak for the Daugh-
ters of the American Revolution — but now that I am on the spot
of my childhood's dreams I cannot easily get away from those
early days when the Whites and the Savages lived in the most
harmonious relation, from those sturdy men and women — New
England born and bred — who moved once and then staid where
they stopped. They were not a migratory race. They made —
what to-day is the stronghold of America — they made homes.
My uncle, Charles Merrow White, now in his 87th year, lives in
the same house where his father and mother began their young
lives together ninety years ago. My mother, in her 81st year,
lives on the spot where Samuel White and his family settled
when they first came to Central New York. Near by lived and
died only a few years since, in her 104th year, Nancy White
Guiteau. There is not money enough in America to buy these
homes. I wish we possessed one more — Aaron White's old hotel,
and then we should cling to that, too.
Is it foolish, is it sentimental, is it un-American to climb our
family tree, to feel a very pardonable pride as we perch ourselves
up in the branches, picking the fruit of past generations, enjoy-
ing the fragrance of the " old-fashioned roses," never minding
if occasionally we do run up against a thorn? Love of ancestry
is akin to love of country, and love of country is next to love of
God. And have we not God's sanction when in the Great Book
is traced with reverent simplicity the earthly genealogy of the
Master? Is it too much to claim that an honored ancestry shall
result in a clean posterity? Who wants to be the first one to sully
a proud name? Let us go on founding our patriotic societies, our
Founder's Associations. Let us cherish our Old Home Weeks,
68 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
our Commemorative Days, and we shall grow the nohler and the
sweeter for it. Money will count for less and character for
more.
This, Mr. President, is what our great society of 40,000 women —
the Daughters of the American Eevolution — stands for.
There are just three points I want to make.
1. We are democratic. We stand for the masses — the rank and
file — the bone and sinew of the country — the working forces. No
idea can be more erroneous than the notion that the Daughters
of the American Eevolution is an exclusive and aristocratic body.
If we have an aristocracy, it is that of courage, of high ideals
founded on the Battle of Bunker Hill and the sufferings of Valley
Forge. We are working, indeed, to establish caste, but a caste
in which the brotherhood of man takes rank. There is a great
danger confronting America. Enormous fortunes are being
amassed by the few; great corporations are wielding a tremendous
power; a social caste — not of brains nor of breeding — but of
money is being formed. As a balance-wheel, as a leveler, comes
this great society of 40,000 women from every State in the Union,
and representing all grades of society, the only requisite being a
reputable life and two or three generations of American blood.
A chapter is formed in a town, and women begin to discover
each other; talents are revealed that were never suspected, barren
lives are enriched* and the whole community is leavened. The town
may be divided by its politics, by its churches, but this one thing
is open to all.
2. We stand for civic education and for local improvement.
Our chapters are presenting flags to the public schools, are offer-
ing prizes for the best prepared work on American History, and
are studying and practicing parliamentary law. As we feel the
necessity for being what we are trying to encourage, we are taking
up courses of historical study, making historical pilgrimages, and
reclaiming from oblivion places of almost sacred interest. Believ-
ing that the best American is the intelligent American, we are
encouraging historical research, recording family traditions, mark-
ing the graves of Revolutionary heroes, supplying our soldiers and
sailors with literature, reaching out to our new possessions, and
assisting in making into Americans tin 1 great horde that pours
into our harbors from every land under the sun. What a cause
for regret that all this awakening and organizing had not come
half a century — even quarter of a century earlier! What a wealth
of unwritten history lies buried forever in our cemeteries! How
we now long to know the things that could have been had for the
asking a few years ago!
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 69
You happy people of New England have reached one vantage
ground at least from which you can look down upon the rest
of us with a great deal of satisfaction, an uncommon amount of
civic pride. Your villages are the most beautifully kept in Amer-
ica. Horatio Seymour once said, " I consider it as great an honor
to be path master in Deerfield, as to be Governor of the State of
New York." Emulating the spirit of this great man, the Daugh-
ters of the American Revolution are taking up the work of village
improvement and we hope in time to approach your point of
perfection.
S. We stand for a pure and enlightened patriotism. It would
be impossible among so many women to eliminate all selfish
ambition, but the great mass are moved by the highest impulses
and the one great desire to make America the better for their ex-
istence. Ours is the first and the largest body of women ever
organized for patriotic purposes. It would never have been called
into existence except that it had a mission to perform. I believe
that God wants us, and so we are here. We are here not only
to reclaim and honor the past, but also to form and ennoble the
future. Our greatest opportunity, and therefore our greatest
responsibility, lies with the children of the public schools. The
boys of to-day are the men of to-morrow. From all nations they
are coming to us for life and for light. They are coming faster
than we are ready for them. If we do not form their public senti-
ment, they will form ours.
And so — Mr. President and members of the Society of Founders
and Patriots of Middletown Upper Houses— we are all working
together for the betterment of the race.
Let us gather reverently around the hearthstones and graves
of those heroic men and women who gave birth to our nation, that
our souls may be aroused to greater effort. Let us be reminiscent,
but let us also be dynamic. Let us prove our inheritance, not
only in name, but also in the possession of a sturdy, uncompromis-
ing courage that shall fight the battles of peace and win the vic-
tories as valiantly as did the heroes of '76, that shall solve the
problems of living as wisely as did those pioneers who went out
from Middletown Upper Houses a century ago.
Clara Cornelia Fuller,
Great-great-granddaughter of Aaron White, patriot.
During the exercises at the church several hundred children
were feasted, and at 5 p. m. the members of Mansfield Post, G. A.
R., and the W. R. Corps were entertained at luncheon.
REUNION OF THE SOCIETY
June 19, 1905
The enthusiasm of all present was such that there was a general
call for another reunion, and this was held on July 19, 1905,
the thermometer being at 91°. A procession of several four-horse
omnibuses, with hacks, automobiles, and other conveyances, made
a pilgrimage, not only through the original streets, but up Main
Street where the sons of the founders had built their habitations,
out " New Lane," opened in 1788, past the houses built by William
Sage and Elisha Sage, patriots, in sight of the Nathaniel White
Public School, and to the house of Thomas Stow and his wife,
Martha White, built 1713-1720, where a halt was made and the
house inspected. There was then a procession to the old cemetery,
where an hour was spent in inspecting the headstones. A business
meeting was then held in Temple of Honor Hall, where the Society
of Middletown Upper Houses was duly incorporated and all previ-
ous contributors were admitted to membership. A dinner was
then served in Briggs Hall. After dinner the granite and bronze
memorial to Founders, Fathers, and Patriots was dedicated, prayer
being offered by the Kev. Edward Eells, the address of dedication
being delivered by the newly elected President, and the memorial
unveiled by little Miss Evangeline Eells. The flag was then raised
to the top of the flagstaff.
Address of Dedication
The Hon. Frank Langdon Wilcox
This earth is a wonderful footstool — beautiful by nature, and
peculiarly adapted to the uses of man. And man has used this
round world as a free gift for the performance of his part in life's
history. Day by day, and night by night, and year by year deeds
are enacted of love, sacrifice, heroism, patriotism, and from religious
convictions, so that the surface of all lands has been dotted with
memorials to commemorate the events. Beautiful buildings, tower-
ing monuments, enduring granite, bronze tablets, and simple
markers are the usual tokens that record these worthy deeds —
they perpetuate memories, and incite all beholders to emulation.
We arc met here to-day to accept and dedicate this granite
boulder with its bronze tablet, erected to commemorate the lives
MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
1650
3HN CLARK JOHN SAVAf:t
BENJAMIN BUTLER
WILLIAM KEI1
HALL SAMUEL STOCKINC 1
GERS'r'
SRAEL KELSC
DHN. KIRBY THOMAS STOW
AONCEY
THOMAS MILL!
NTHONV MARTIN JOHN WARNER
HOWARDS
NATH'L. RILE^
HOMAS RANNEY NATHANIEL WHITE
NATH'L. EELLS
EDWARD SHEP;
AVID SACE JOHN WILCOX
SAMUEL Ffl '
ABNER SMITH
PASTORS OF
YLORQ
SAMUEL CIBSON
SAMUEL SPENC
ELfSHA TREAi
NORTH SOCIETY
NATH'L. CILBERT
' STEPHf
CSEPii MITH EDWARD! EELLS
1714-1736 I7C0-I776
[ISAAC CRIDLEY
; THOMAS JOHNSON
JOHN WARNER
JEWEL WILLIA
ERECTED
BY THE
FIRST BAPTIST- PAS". C
; SOCIETY. OF
MIDDLETOw
;i
UPPER
HOUSES
Bronze Tai
\ll MORI \l BOUI in B
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 71
of the Fathers, Patriots, and Pastors of Middletown Upper Houses.
With reverence and love we here commit our testimonial to the
sight of all passers-by in this most public spot at the meeting of
the ways. Northward is the original highway blazed through the
wilderness and traversed by our forefathers. Eastward is " Pleas-
ant Street," laid out by that first generation as the principal
street of Cromwell, and the main line of travel between Hartford
and Middletown, while hard by pass the trains of the Valley
Division of The New York, New Haven & Hartford R. R. There
could be no more fitting place to connect the silent past with the
busy present.
The sun may shine, the rains may fall, and the storms beat upon
this rock, and generations of men may come and go, but this
monument will always remain here, symbolic of the sturdy, endur-
ing character of these early settlers, whom we claim as a distin-
guished honor for our ancestors.
Exercises were then held in the Baptist Church, praver beinsr
offered by the Rev. D. B. Hubbard. The Rev. William S. Middle-
mass, pastor of the Baptist Church, extended a welcome to the
Society, when the President, the Hon. Frank Langdon Wilcox,
delivered the following address;
The President's Address
Kinsmen and Friends : Words of welcome have been extended
to us by this town, which has changed its name from that given
by our forbears of " Middletown Upper Houses." Greetings have
been exchanged with those we have known and loved so long.
Relationships have been discovered with near neighbors, or with
those living in far distant environments who have returned here
to-day to link the present with the past in honoring memories.
The experience is a pleasant one, for, though " all the world is
akin," blood relationship awakens a heart-throb of responsiveness
that is as precious as it is delightful.
Our purpose here is sacred, patriotic, and altogether worthy.
We came to honor the founders of our several family houses; to
gather inspiration from their simple lives that may guide us in
the more complex existence of the present day; to pay our tribute
of respect to the town they established in the savage, inhospitable,
but beautiful New England wilderness; to renew and make the
acquaintance of those whose friendship tried and adopted we can
confidently " grapple to our hearts with hooks of steel " ; for, chil-
dren of a common ancestry, we have that sturdy parentage whose
72 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
lives were lived for God and Country, and we are told that their
virtues do last to the third or fourth generation.
To-day our eyes have looked out upon the shining river whose
waters flowing from the Canadian border and the White Moun-
tains pass through the heart of this New England country with
its wealth of history and busy industry/ to lose itself in the restless
and endless sea. It reminds us of the quiet, beneficent influence
of the goodly lives of our virtuous fathers and mothers flowing
through generations of posterity. We have viewed the homes in
which they lived, loved, labored and bore their children, and whence
they were carried to their last resting place in God's Acre. To
this " Old Burying Ground " we have also made a pilgrimage.
Our Forefathers, we salute you! We thank you for the lives you
lived, the towns you founded, the country you made, and for the
precious heritage you left us in fee simple that cannot be destroyed
or taken away.
Once the trees of the forest primeval decked these hills and val-
leys with a beautiful mantle of green and yielded a gentle shel-
tering shade, the birds of the air builded their nests therein, and
the beasts of the forest roamed beneath. Under the ax of the
pioneer and following the plow of the husbandman, the forests
gave way to the home and the welcome cry of little children. The
wilderness was made to blossom like the rose, and the song of
increase went up throughout the land. The darksome, impene-
trable forests with their fearsome denizens have disappeared, but
our forefathers planted a better growth. Family trees were
planted, and took root in the rich soil of religious and civic liberty.
They flourished, stretching out lusty branches, bearing fruit of
boys and girls, men and women that were world-builders. Shoots,
scions, and graftings were transplanted in many a varying soil.
The parent stock was so sturdy that they flourished and grew
mighty in the land. I know of none of stunted or malignant
growth, and dare not single out those of such magnificent propor-
tions that they stand up like sentinels among the family trees of
this great nation. Our efficient Secretary should be given an op-
portunity to tell the story, for his mind is stored with an exhaustless
supply of facts and fancy, fables and figures which he holds in
reserve, but ready for discharge like the shot of a rapid-fire gun.
In fact, in this campaign of love and loyalty, he is the " man
behind the gun"' in that he has furnished all the push and enter-
prise, happily seasoned with a love of labor.
1 take this opportunity to express this well-deserved apprecia-
tion. I bespeak for him from this time forth, from all my hearers,
their hearty support and sympathy in his efforts to produce a full
HISTOKY OF THE SOCIETY 73
and accurate history of the families that are entitled to belong
to "The Society of "Middletown Upper Houses." We are not the
only ones who would enjoy and appreciate a complete work of
this nature, for our children and our children's children will read,
study, and take pride in the lines of ancestry which started from
the ground we have traversed to-day.
Wonderful is the power of man when electrically charged with
character founded on religion, industry, and love of family and
country. In 1620 there was given to the world a marvelous prop-
osition. Given a continent peopled by bloodthirsty savages, and a
few shiploads of religious refugees, what would be the result? A
little less than three hundred years has shown the savage confined
in a few reservations in the far West; the forests replaced by
prosperous farms and homes, the vantage spots occupied by count-
less cities constantly increasing in population, wealth, intelli-
gence and happiness. Throughout the land goes up the deep un-
derlying murmur of myriad manufacturing corporations; across
the surface of the land and in the bowels of the earth flash electric
cars and steam trains, like shuttles in the woof and warp of the
vast fabric of life, carrying more people and freight than were
dreamed of by the Pilgrim Fathers. The rivers and seas of the
world have been dotted by the sails and flag of a new country that
has bcome a first power in the council of nations. Everywhere
are churches, schools, and colleges, and vast humane institutions
founded out of love for fellow-men. The most productive country
of the world in men and women, products of the soil, of the brain
of the shop, and of the mind. A free country loved by its citizens,
sought by emigrants from all lands, discovered for the freedom of
the nations. A veritable land of the free and home of the brave.
A country that three hundred years ago could be bought for some
strings of wampum now has in the United States alone an esti-
mated national wealth of $100,000,000,000. In 1620 peopled only
by the American Indians, it now has a population of white men
of about 88,000,000. Then giving nothing to the world, now the
world's chief benefactor in too many ways to mention upon an
occasion like this. Who started and laid the foundations of such
a record and such a country ? God gave the country, wild and free,
but man developed it and wrought these mighty achievements.
What men? Why, our forefathers right here in Middletown Upper
Houses were the founders and patriots who bore their willing and
mighty part. The builders of the Pyramids, the Colossus of
Rhode's, the Chinese Wall, and the other wonders of the world were
but pigmy laborers compared with these architects of a Nation.
Are we not justified in lauding their lives and honoring their
74 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
memories in public gatherings like this? Nay, would we not be
ingrates and degenerates if we did not proclaim their deeds, and
call upon our fathers to keep us steadfast in the path they have
blazed so broad and deep.
The world has just seen the little Brown Man in the Flowery
Kingdom beyond the Yellow Sea, through the worship of* his
ancestors, humble the mighty Bear that frightened all Europe
with his roar. We do not sound any call to worship, but I do
believe that we can respect, love, and honor our fathers and mothers
that our days may be long in the land which the Lord our God
gave us.
" Born into life ! . . . man grows
Forth from his parents' stem.
Blends their bloods, as these
Of theirs are blent in them ;
So each new man strikes root into a far foretime."
— Empedocles on Etna.
The Hon. Henry B. Brown delivered an oration on " The Sig-
nificance of This Memorial Service," when, after referring to his
college days of 1855-59 with Mr. Adams, he spoke as follows :
Oration of the Hon. Henry Bascom Brown
This occasion, as I apprehend it, is for the dedication of a noble
and fitting memorial to the Founders, Fathers, Pastors, and Pa-
triots of Middletown Upper Houses, as this portion of the town
of Middletown was called from the year 1680 to a late date in
the last century. And so our topic naturally takes form as "The
Significance of This Memorial Service." A glacial boulder, duly
and appropriately marked by an inscription upon a bronze tablet,
is placed as an enduring and fitting memorial to the honored
ancestors of tbe members of this Society, to remain as long as time
shall last, in sunshine or in storm, through summer's heat and
winter's cold, the mute but eloquent and impressive testimonial
of the appreciation of this later generation of the sacrifices, the
virtues, the patriotism, and tbe piety, by which those venerated
men built themselves, as lasting and effective factors, into the very
life of the community, the church, the State, the nation.
The erection of monumental memorials for the perpetuation of
the memories and achievements of nations is a fact as old as the
oldest records of human history. We pause bo make only the briefest
mention of the first recorded illustration of this fact in human his-
tory — the story told in Eoly Writ, of that wonderful tide of human
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 75
life, that, "journeyed from the East," till they "found a plain
in the land of Shinar," where they proposed " to build a city and
a tower, whose top should reach unto heaven," by which, they said,
"let us make us a name"; wherefore, says the sacred writer,
"the name of it is called Babel " (Gen. xi. 1-10).
Next, we may consider the erection of the vast pile of the
Egyptian Pyramids, and the rough sculpture of the inexplicable
Sphinx, " a figure sixty-five feet high, cut from the solid rock,"
and probably older than the great pyramid itself, which stand sur-
rounded by the other innumerable stone monuments of that most
ancient of ancient kingdoms. The stupendous pyramid of Ghizeh
is incomparably the most remarkable monument built by man. It
has witnessed the rise, the culmination, the decay of empires whose
sway was almost world-wide; it was a patriarch when the human
race was yet young, and before literature was born; its builder is
still the riddle of history; it was gray with the wear and tear
of centuries when Moses wrote the Pentateuch ; it was as ancient
to Moses, as the Norman conquest is to us to-day; it was built
to defy the wrath of storms, the wear of ages, and the hunger of
fire It cost an untold outlay of life, and blood, and treasure to
build it; it would be the financial ruin of the richest nation to
destroy it. And yet, the man whose name and honor it was erected
to commemorate is as unknown to-day as the humblest slave who
contributed his labor and life to build it !
It stands the incomparable monument of a dead civilization, and
it looks complacently down on a land whose dynasties, history,
and traditions are lost in the abyss of the vanished centuries !
As the Old World had its great national memorials in the pyra-
mids and lesser monuments we have mentioned, so the New World
had its great memorials in the vast mounds left by the strange
nameless, and unknown mound-builders, and the wonderful build-
ings and stone monuments of Central and South America, whose
builders have plunged into the gulf of oblivion and left not a
line of historical record behind them to tell that they ever existed
or for what purposes their magnificent structures were designed
and used.
Time forbids that we should speak further on this occasion of
these two great examples of national memorials, the names of
whose builders are lost to the record of history.
We turn again to sacred history for illustration of the tendency
of mankind to commemorate names and occasions by the setting
up of stones for enduring memorials. In the twenty-eighth chap-
ter of Genesis is recorded the strange vision of Jacob at Bethel;
and the record is, that " Jacob rose up early in the morning and
76 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
took the stone that he had put for his pillow and set it up for a
pillar" (Gen. x.wiii. 18).
So, all along down the centuries, men have set up stones as
memorials of great historical events, or in honor of those who
have contributed to the good of their fellow-men, the development
of moral and religious character, the promotion of those great
movements that have worked for the grandeur of the State, the
progress of civilization and the arts, and the advancement of the
race in every department of human activity. Who of us, having
once looked upon the majestic statue to the memory of The Fore-
fathers, at Plymouth, Mass., can ever forget it? What an incen-
tive the very sight of it is, to awaken in the heart of the spectator
those sentiments that make for the encouragement of virtue, honor,
and great endeavor.
To-day, as an outcome of the contribution of life and treasure
in the Civil War, the living patriots all over our land have com-
memorated the heroic deeds of their dead comrades by erecting
handsome statues, or other appropriate monumental memorials of
indestructible stone or bronze, to tell to future generations the
story of the great sacrifices made for the country's life, honor, and
perpetuity. If I may adapt the poetic sentiment of another (which.
however, I quote from memory), we may truly say:
" Such stones as these are pilgrim shrines.
Shrines to no race or place confined ;
The Pantheons, the Palestines,
The Mcccas of the mind!"
We dedicate to-day this boulder and this bronze tablet as a last-
ing monument and memorial to the Founders, the Fathers, the
Pastors, and the Patriots of this community. What niche each
one of them filled in the domestic, social, civil, intellectual, or
religious life of this neighborhood, or what contribution each made
to the common weal, it is not fitting for me to attempt to say, nor
could I measure, compute, or estimate it. were I to undertake
the task. But we know that as no man's life m any community is
void of influence, so we are sure that from the lives of these men
whom we commemorate to-day there wenl oul into the sphere of
then- lives, their activities, their endeavors, might] formative in-
fluences which are n,.i yel losl to \ ieu in their descendants, and
which will continue to widen and develop in then- scope and power
in the advancing years, as the rippled waters move with ever
enlarging circles, till their movement and momentum are swallowed
up 111 the measureless ocean.
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 77
Some of these were men in comparatively humble walks of life;
some others of them, in the providence of God and by the
favor of their fellow-citizens, were called to broader fields of en-
deavor, influence, and usefulness; still others offered their lives
and sacred honor in defense of home and native land, while some
stood as spiritual monitors and religious advisers in the sacred
desk, to declare according to the light given to them, and in the
measure of their knowledge and convictions, the relations of them-
selves and their fellow-men to God and the great eternity that lies
beyond the limits of time and sense.
We honor them to-day as men who, in either low or high sta-
tion, acted well their part, performed faithfully the duties that
came to their hands, and finally, having served their generation
grandly and nobly, died, leaving to their children the rich legacy
of a good name, which Holy Writ declares is rather to be chosen
than great riches.
The world is better because of their lives, their descendants take
pride in and rejoice in the memory of all that they contributed to
the betterment of humanity, and their children rise up and call
them blessed.
And now, as the day declines towards the eventide, and the
shadows lengthen over their grass-grown graves, we leave them to
their quiet rest:
" Under the flowers and the dew,
Waiting the judgment day."
dedicating to their sacred memories this boulder and its bronze
tablet, to be and remain forevermore the eloquent witness to their
labors as founders, their virtues as fathers, their devotion as pas-
tors, and their sacrifices as patriots! And with the poet we say:
" Beneath those rugged elms, that yew-tree's shade,
Where heaves the turf in many a moldering heap,
Each in his narrow cell forever laid
The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep.
" No further seek their merits to disclose,
Or draw their frailties from their dread abode, —
(There they alike in trembling hope repose,) —
The Bosom of their Father and their God!"
Another college friend of Mr. Adams was the Hon. Webster R.
Walkley, D. C. L.
78 MIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES
Founders, Fathers, and Pastors Day
Webster Rogers Walkley, D. C. L.
To Thee! God! our Father's God
We lift our hearts in prayer and praise
For this the land the Pilgrims trod
Preserved to us from earliest days.
Their faith and hope, their skill and toil
Laid broad and deep foundations sure.
Our Freedom grew on such rich soil —
And Liberty which will endure.
We live to see what they have wrought;
To gather harvests from their sowing,
They builded better than they thought
Our barns are filled to overflowing.
They tilled the soil, they sowed the seed;
Yet harvests rich they never reaped ;
For every want they found its need;
The wealth of years — their children heaped.
We come to lay upon their graves
The grateful offerings of our Love
With trust in God, no Eear enslaves
Their faith was sure, they rest above.
We conic to honor these brave men
Who lived and wrought in years gone by.
How short (ho span 'twixf now and then
Their mcm'ry lives, it shall not die.
Here now we place this boulder old
By ice-floes home from Arctic shore;
Of names inscribed it will be told
Their virtues live Eorever more.
We come to grave upon this stone
The records of their well-spent livi
The shields they wore their children own.
The truth they taught still lives and thrives.
Websteb Rogers Walkxey, D. C. I.
(See page 7m
J/t^-C-W
/J. />
■ ■ 71)
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 79
We honor men who fought and won
And waged fierce conflicts for the right;
The throbbing heart of every son
Proclaims them heroes in the fight.
We honor men for what they've done,
The laurel wreath's for victories gained,
The crowns they wear, if worthily won,
Are never by dishonor stained.
From Plymouth Eock to farthest shore
The songs of Liberty arise.
Our country's free ; enslaved no more
Are those who dwell beneath its skies.
The Sower has gone; He has passed on.
The seed he scattered bore rich grain.
The Reaper has come; from work well done
He gathers much, much is his gain.
I love these templed groves, these rocks and hills,
These meadows fair and green, these laughing rills
That flow from bubbling springs on mountainside,
And dash in foam to greet the ocean's tide.
I love these wooded vales, where shadows creep
And wrap dream robes about us while we sleep,
And lift tall ladders from the earth to heaven,
On which we seem to climb, 'till clouds are riven,
And flecks of sunshine come through leafy bowers
To wake and chide for these neglected hours.
I love these fields which lie on sunny slopes,
And oft conceal the seeds of harvest hopes.
I love to watch the growing crops of corn,
Whose leaves are gemmed with pearls of dewy morn ;
I love to see the blades of springing grass —
Wild flowers which nod as we in silence pass.
I love to hear the songs <>f these wild birds,
In sweeter notes than T can toll in words.
We lie awake and watch the coming day
Their songs of praise should teach us how to pray.
I love to hear the church bells as they ring
In biting winter days — or in the spring.
When God's breath brings life to sleeping flower.
And makes men feel His omniscient power.
80 MIDDLETOWN UPPEE HOUSES
Except the seed shall die, no hlade of corn
Shall hold the crystal pearls of dewey morn.
If we obeyed the lessons we've been taught,
All through our life has been this happy thought —
God gave us life. Through Him we move and live,
As much we have received, much shall we give.
Five half-centuries have fled ;
We cannot count the dead;
They sleep in yonder graves.
Sunlight falls in waves
Of glory and of light,
And keeps forever bright
The names of honored sons,
Not graven on these stones.
They live in every heart,
Their spirits may take part
With us to-day in praise,
In speech, in joyful lays.
As we our tribute bring
To thank our God and King
For all his wondrous grace.
Love beams on every face.
Joy laughs in every eye.
Above, the arching sky
With its eternal blue
In glory bends to view
The day we eelebrate.
Who were these men who here first built their homes.
The spring or source from which our history comes?
The land was a grant from the State or crown,
To men of repute who had ,L r alliere<l renown.
Prom words they had spoken or deeds they had done.
Such find reward. Oft it comes lair, but none
More deserving than those who dare to do right,
And cut away forests to let in the light.
Who were these men? We cannot name them all;
Children of their children may answer to our call;
But now all are gone, theii names fade away,
As blushes of twilight at close of the day.
Home of our fathers, where their dual QOW reposes.
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 81
O'er whose graves is the breath of sweet summer roses; —
Though stones, which marked where their bodies decay,
Have crumbled and fallen, and are nothing but clay, .
Their memory lives, and is as green as the leaves,
And as rich as the grain of ingathered sheaves.
What makes men great? Who weighs? What turns the scale?
Is't fortune's breath, or some more favoring gale?
Who mans life's bark? Who watches for the star
That never moves, yet tells just where we are?
Whose hand is on the helm? Who marks the course?
What pilot guides the way? What force
Impels, compels, 'gainst wind, and wave, and tide,
Tin* ship to sail, or in the harbor to abide?
Though clouds obscure the sun by day; at night
Who finds in northern sky the glimmering light
To which all men turn, who go down in ships
To bear the commerce of the world. Our lips
Are sealed, yet there comes an answering voice —
'Tis God in man. The soul within. Rejoice;
What makes men great? The soul within that burns.
A conscience clear that lights and warns and turns
And gives us strength to know, to do, to dare,
To hope, to trust, to live the good to share?
What makes men brave ? Their thoughts, their lives, their aims.
To love or truth, what are a coward's claims ?
What makes men great? The truth that lives within.
That grows and spreads, and crushes out the sin.
Our work is here, the future ne'er is ours ;
We plant and toil to-day. He sends the flowers.
We bide His time. We wait for golden sheaves,
Though oft we find that nothing grew but leaves.
Memory, Sentinel of the Past, stands on guard to-day
With form erect and piercing glance she points to us the way
To chambers vast and old, where hidden treasures lie;
The records of immortal deeds, of men not born to die.
We walk amid the graves where many of our kindred sleep,
We hold in sweet remembrance, and most lovingly do keep
The history of their lives, some were not unknown to fame,
Others wrought most worthilv and left an honored name.
82 MIDDLETOWN" UPPER HOUSES
As we view the landscape o'er, the distant hills that kiss the sky,
The river winding at our feet, whose waters pass so swiftly by
The wooded glen, the shady grove, the meadows, fair and green,
We ask ourselves where Nature paints as beautiful a scene?
We, their children, gather here, the offspring of the long ago,
When men were brave and women fair, and dared their courage
show.
Who wrought by day and toiled by night, seattering precious seed
Which blossomed into fruitage rich for direst hour of need.
Looking backward o'er fleeting months of still more fleeting years,
What pictures memory paints! Here hours of joy. there hours of
tears,
Though cups were filled with ruby wine, oft they left a bitter taste.
And goblets filled with nectar were broken in our haste.
Youth full of ardent hope builds many castles in the air.
Bathed in morning light or tinged by sunset's gold how fair!
With shaded walks about, and fountain's mist of spray, and songs
of birds —
The scene is too enchanting for us to paint in words.
Youth plucks the daisies in the meadows, and the buttercups of
June,
Like the flowers it gathers, it wilts and fades as soon.
The scarlet rose of manhood seems a flower of sturdier growth,
The blush of womanhood reveals our nature's subtlest truth.
Fathers and Founders and Pastors still live.
Our sight may be dimmed, we cannot behold.
Though in spirit they meet us. the lessons thev give
Are of God, and His truth same as of old.
Fathers, how deep the meaning of that word!
What sainted forms doth memory recall!
Ifow are our [nmosl feelings thrilled and stirred,
As we lisp their names or hearken to their call!
Pounders are thev who laid the foundation.
And builded above the State, church, and school;
United are these in all their relations.
Sustaining, supporting with wisdom to rule.
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 83
Those Pastors who preached the word of the Lord,
Who cared for the flocks given into their care,
Though servants of peace kept burnished the sword,
Their trust was in God, in powder, and prayer.
The real man is invisible, unseen;
A soul within reveals his worth and power.
It lightens up his face with smiles of truth,
And looks beyond to an immortal life.
He is taller than his height. His right arm
Doth not measure strength. His real nobler self
Eeaches, expands toward the Infinite.
He is broader than his shoulders, or his breast;
Weightier than avoirdupois of scales.
Truth in the soul seeks light. As seeds do burst,
And spring from Mothej - Earth to bud and flower,
So the spirit of a man doth make great.
Such are the pivots on which epochs turn ;
Such men make the history of the world;
Sometimes at stake in martyrs' fire they burn,
Yet new eras dawn.
And now on busy street shall stand
For life and work so nobly grand,
This boulder old, that all may learn
That one is great who can discern
The power of will which gives one might,
And strengthens men to do the right.
The poem was followed by an address by C. Collard Adams on
" Two Pioneers, Captain Nathaniel White and Captain Hugh
White."
Miss Hattie Hubbard, an elocutionist of high ability, gave a
recitation. This was followed by an address by the Hon. Charles
H. Stanton, M. A., Bursar of Hamilton College:
The New Cromwell
If I am to speak, it must be for the Cromwell in Oneida County,
New York. You may not find the name there, but you will not
search in vain for the spirit.
The eastern part of the Mohawk Valley was settled by the
Dutch. If you could stop just west of Utica, in your rapid flight
84 MIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES
on the New York Central Railroad, for a more careful inspection
of the eighty-foot column that stands on the hill beside that
great thoroughfare, an enduring monument to mark the Oriskany
battlefield, you would be delighted with the bronzes depicting the
scenes of that conflict, which ranks as one of the decisive battles
of the Revolution: you would be charmed with the classic in-
scription written by Professor Edward North, who went to his
lifelong and memorable work in Hamilton College from your
neighboring Berlin, but, as you attempted to read the tablets
which record the names of the heroes who fought for us that day,
you would find them deeply, unmistakably Dutch.
But, wait! Middletown Upper Houses is to be heard from. A
few years after that battle in the wilderness another is to begin
near by. In the springtime of 1784 Hugh White, a stalwart
man from this village, is slowly pushing his way westward, past
the Dutch settlements of the eastern Mohawk, past the burned
houses and devastated fields of the middle valley, wasted by ruth-
less Indians and Tories, stopping finally just east of the battle-
field, where the Sauquoit from the south joins the winding waters
of the Mohawk. Here, in the wilderness, surrounded by Indians,
forty miles from other settlers and the greatly needed gristmill,
he builds his habitation in what is to become the beautiful village
of Whitesboro, now a western suburb of Utica. Here he was to
win a victory greater than that of the battle ; here, a hundred years
later, his labors and virtues were to be celebrated in a great me-
morial gathering, and witnessed by a worthy granite shaft erected
on the village green.
With his sturdy sons he clears away the forest, and the fertile
soil yields more abundant crops than the land he had left. From
time to time, shrewd Yankee that be was. lie sends back to Crom-
well great onions, the tallest stalks and largest ears of corn.
But the evidences he sent were convincing. One by one the families
here supplied new settlers for the new country. So went the
Risleys, Butlers, Stockings, Eells, Shepards, Eamlins, and others.
Among these, in 1794, went my great-grandfather, Gideon Savage,
great-grandson of John Savage, one of the founders of Middle-
town Upper Houses. He had returned to Upper Bouses after
graduation from the campaigns with Washington in New Jersey
and the hardships of Valley Forge; here he married the daughter
of Aaron White; here his son, in due time, married Elizabeth
Eamlin, descended from Thomas Etanney and from the first pastor,
Rev. Joseph Smith, and thereby, 1 may humbly add, here am I,
one of the fruits of these alliani es.
In the ways I have indicated. Cromwell, transplanted in Oneida
HISTOKY OF THE SOCIETY S5
. ■»
County, took root and flourished, and New England began again
in New York. Since then waves of population from Wales, Ire-
land, and now from Italy, have swept over the region as new de-
velopments have occurred, but some of the old stock still remain.
They have a just pride in their ancestry, for they were honest,
industrious, intelligent. God-fearing men and women. To-day
we render grateful tribute to the century and a quarter of heredity
and training here that equipped them for their work.
Such men your town and State sent forth to till our soil, to
build our churches and schools, and to found our colleges. Among
these came Samuel Kirkland, the devoted missionary to the Oneida
Indians, and founded our Hamilton College in 1812. Yale fur-
nished her first president, but the College has paid you back the
whole debt in sending to your State and neighborhood Charles
Dudley Warner and Senator Hawley, and in giving to the nation
Elihu Root.
With slight variations, the story I have told you would doubtless
be the story of all these pilgrims, who, from different regions,
have gathered here to-day.
Veneration for a noble ancestry is an interesting theme. A
few weeks ago, when we read Togo's report of his marvelous vic-
tory and his declaration that it was gained not by the strength
of men but by the virtue of their ancestors, we shrugged our
shoulders and passed it by with a halfway feeling of superiority
and compassion for such a lingering, superstitious fetich from
a barbarian past. But were we right? Is not this great, con-
suming, national regard for their forefathers worthy of our
deeper respect? Must we not concede to this noble affection
similar praise to that compelled from us by their skill in war and
sanitation ?
Then came Rev. Edwin H. Ranney, the patriarch of eighty-two
years, who gave his reminiscences of Cromwell and Middletown
Upper Houses.
Reminiscences of Middletown Upper Houses and Cromwell
" How dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood,
When fond recollection presents them to view,"
The childhood home is, indeed, to children the dearest spot on
earth; and even when they outgrow their childhood, and as men
and women scatter in different directions over this wide world,
they never lose sight of the dear old homestead wherein they
86 MIDDLETOWN UPPEE HOUSES
were born; nor do they forget the associates and associations of
their early life. New homes, new associations, and new associates
will never entirely obliterate from their memories the scenes and
experiences of their childhood days.
These thoughts thus briefly expressed will serve as a preface to
what follows as to my own experience. Some twenty-five years ago
I sold out my interest in Cromwell and, bidding adieu to the old
homestead, took my departure for the Sunny South. This move-
ment was made at the suggestion of my wife's sister who was
teaching school in that part of the country, and invited my wife
to join her in her pedagogical work; and I concluded that, while
she was teaching, 1 might be preaching. I soon found, however,
that I had made the greatest mistake of my life; and the dear
old homestead, with its dearer associations, loomed up before me;
homesickness set in, and I could have kissed the very ground
on which 1 \\<r<\ to tread. Many a time since 'I Left it I have en-
tered the old home through dreamland, and found myself in full
possession as in days of yore, but the morning dawned, the dream
passed away, and with it went the bright and beautiful vision.
But " There's a divinity that shapes our ends, rough hew them as
we will." And my subsequent experience has led me to indorse
and adopt the sentiment so well expressed by Dr. Bushnell : " Dif-
ferent things are to be done, and God will inspire us for just what
we have to do; and it may be that our inspiration, being for a
riper age, will so far, be of a higher quality," and certainly my riper
age, and riper inspiration, and providential environment have
led to the accomplishment of that of which I never had ante-
cedently earned.
In former days I had some experience in teaching, or trying
1" teach, the young idea how to shoot. It was in that age of the
world when teachers boarded around among the patrons of the
school, and I never have forgotten the bill of fare presented before
me by one of these patrons. He musl have thoughl I didn't know
beans, for they were set before me three times a day in one shape
(ir another. He might, possibly, have considered them to be good
brain food, and thought I d led them. The four or five schools
of Cromwell at that time were sufficienl to intellectualize all the
children of that generation.
Knowledge and wisdom prevailed in ever} school district, and
if the children remained in ignorance it was noi the fault of the
teachers. Bui the three R's graduates were numerous, and some
of them took a postgraduate course in the Academy.
In those days of culture and refinement there was but one fool
in Middletown Upper Houses! I mean, natural Eool, and I am
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 87
quite sure if the fool-killer were to come this way now he would
find his occupation gone. But what a change has come over
Cromwell in educational matters : That large, commodious, mod-
ern edifice, ornamental, as well as useful, and located in the center
of population, has absorbed the lesser lights, and is shining forth
in all its splendor to illuminate and educate the present and future
generations. If, therefore, the future citizens of Cromwell do
not surpass former generations in wisdom and intelligence, they
will not have improved the greater facilities afforded them.
My earlier life was spent in Middletown Upper Houses, to which
place our father returned when I was six years of age. Until then I
had never seen the Connecticut River, and one of the first sights
that greeted my eyes was a brig lying at the wharf adjacent to
the "brick store." To my rural mind it was a picturesque scene,
and the greatest wonder of the age ; at least, of my age. But such
scenes soon became familiar. It was the commercial age of Mid-
dletown Upper Houses, when cargoes of salt, sugar, and molasses
were received direct from the West Indies. But the " Brick Store,"
the wharves, the vessels, and river have long since become obsoles-
cent so far as any foreign trade is concerned. The steamboats going
up and down the river at that time were also a great curiosity.
One of these, the Oliver Cromwell, I think, was commanded by
Captain Thomas Stowe, who then lived in what was considered
at that time a beautiful residence on the corner now occupied by
the Baptist Church. These steamers were of the side-wheel
variety and made a much more imposing appearance than the
propellers of the present day. They had what seemed to be a
dangerous way of receiving and landing passengers — instead of
stopping the big boat, they would lower from the davits a small
boat attached to a long rope, and, while the steamer was in motion,
the small boat was run out to the wharf by the propulsive power
which the rope received from the steamer; by this method the
steamer was kept in the channel, and continued on her way. The
house we first occupied when we moved in from Berlin was near
the river in the neighborhood of the aristocracy of Middletown
Upper Houses at that time. The post office was within half a
square of our residence, and did a big business on a small scale,
receiving, I suppose, at least a dozen letters a day. The long-
distance postage on letters then was twenty-five cents, and pre-
payment of postage was not required. The stage coach was then
the only conveyance for mails as well as for passengers. Our
postmaster was also a magistrate; he was of large dimensions,
and a large-hearted man. I was in a nearby orchard one day and
under one of the apple trees I found a small tin box, which turned
88 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
out to be the money box of the postmaster. I never knew how
much money it contained, but on returning it to him I received
a four-pence-half-penny, equivalent in those days to six and a
quarter cents, which to my poor little pocket was, as it were,
a bonanza. I considered myself amply rewarded. I mention this
simply to -how that honesty in those days did not go unrewarded.
The next move of our family, two years later, was to a house on
the bank of the river, not far from our first and former residence.
On the opposite side of the street was a large house which had been
used as a tavern in the days of our commercial prosperity. Next
to the tavern was a smaller building used as a hat factory. Our
next neighbor on the bank of the river was a sea-faring man, whose
wife, known to us children as Aunt Hannah, used to give us
tamarinds, which her husband was in the habit of bringing homo
with him on his return from sea voyages, and we children acquired
a love for Aunt Hannah through our love for her tamarinds.
On the opposite side of the street from Aunt Hannah was an-
other sea-faring man who had an interesting history as being one
of a crew captured and held in captivity by the Arabs. After
much suffering he was finally released and returned home. The
neighborhood was noted for sea-faring men. Besides those already
alluded to, were Captain Bailey, Captain Parker, Captain McKee,
Captain White. Captain Tim. Savage, and Captain Mildrum, all
of whom are pleasantly remembered as good neighbors.
Occasionally there would be shooting-matches on a small scale
near the lia! factory. Robins and swallows were the sufferers.
The point aimed at was to hit the birds on the wing, i. c, while
they wire ll\ bag, and ] think one of the Eells boys proved to be the
best marksman.
And there was shipbuilding in those days. The shipyard of
Captain Webber was a busy place, and many a vessel was intro-
duced to the Connecticut River from its ways. A few vessels of
Less tonnage were also built a few roils to the south of our residence.
The aristocratic part of our neighborhood was somewliai noted
for summer \i~ilors from New York. One of these visitors was
in the lialiit of bringing with him his horses ami carriage; the
driver, a colored man, would take the horses to the river to give
them a bath; on one occasion lie ventured out too far, ami the
horse he was riding, becoming frightened, threw him oil', and
he was drowned. A little further on up the river there lived a
distinguished citizen whose personality attracted considerable at-
tention, as he was regarded a curiosity, especially by the children;
he was distinguished by his Lilliputian proportions. Thf lower
Middletowners were in the habit of enlisting him in their fan-
HISTOPiY OF THE SOCIETY 89
tastic, Invincible parades. But notwithstanding his diminutive
stature he was a peaceable and useful citizen. The schoolhouse
in our neighborhood, with its cupola and bell, was worthy of our
aristocratic and well-to-do citizens; it was well located, and its
architecture was all that could be expected in the days when the
schoolroom was furnished with desks which ornamented the three
walls to which they were attached; and the backless seats were'
adjusted accordingly; so that the white walls were the silent
witnesses of the hieroglyphics which the scholars would make with
their knives and pencils. Religious meetings were often held
in the schoolhouse at early candle-light, and the neighbors were,
of course, depended on to furnish the lights, and the way the
brass candlesticks were polished up for the occasion showed
the interest the ladies took in the meeting, while the dim religious
light seemed an inspiration to the minister, and threw over the
little assembly a hallowed influence. Precious days, precious
memories ! " Gone, but not forgotten." Within a few rods of the
schoolhouse was the beautiful residence of the beloved physician
of the village, Dr. Sylvester Bulkeley. Of all the families of
Middletown Upper Houses the Sages and Savages were the most
numerous. The fishing industry was then carried on to a con-
siderable extent, and seines and fishhouses were in evidence on
both sides of the river. Shad were then abundant in the Con-
necticut River, and it was said that sixteen hundred were caught
in one haul of the net at the Jefferson fish place on the opposite
side of the river. This may or may not be a fish story, I cannot
vouch for it. Sturgeon were also plentiful. The fishermen had
a unique way of dividing the catch when it was small : The shad
were of different sizes, and in order to equalize each one's share
as accurately as possible they would lay the shad into as many
piles as there were fishermen, and then one of their number
would turn his back to the piles, and another would call out,
"Who shall have that?" and so on to the end of the piles. In
this way the shad were satisfactorily distributed. A shilling then
would buy a large-sized shad.
We now leave the river and go west about three-eighths of a
mile. About midway between our new residence and the old
was the Zenas Edwards tavern. In those days this tavern was
well patronized by the traveling public, and by our own citizens
as well. Both solid and liquid refreshments were served. Among
the attractions to the tavern was a nine-pin alley, afterwards
changed to a ten-pin alley, in order to nullify a new law against
the nine-pin ally; this alley was well patronized by the clubmen
of Middletown, whose patronage of the bar would pay for the use
90 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
of the alley. But as bowling alleys were multiplied this particular
one gradually fell into "innocuous desuetude." About thirty
rods west of the tavern was a slaughter-house, which supplied meat
for the villagers and M iddletowners. There was no beef trust then
to monopolize the business and control the market, and the great
Chicago was then in its infancy.
With our change of residence my school days were transferred
from the Bell schoolhouse to the brick schoolhouse, which stood
on the roadside, about five and twenty rods west of the Xathaniel
White school building. I had pretty well mastered Noah Web-
ster's spelling book, and was now prepared for the higher branches,
and soon found myself wrestling with the three R's, in two of which
I became quite proficient. It was customary in those days for the
teacher to give, what was then considered, beautifully engraved
certificates as rewards of merit to those who excelled in their
studies and deportment, and at the close of the school term
the older scholars would receive books. Tn those days the
singing-school was an interesting institution, especially to the
beaux and belles of the village. The old brown schoolhouse, which
stood just a few rods west of the Congregational Church, was
the trysting place, and the chorister of the church was the teacher;
and the boys and girls were pretty thoroughly drilled in the rudi-
ments of music. The only *' department " store in the village was
owned and conducted by Elisha Stocking. He was a model mer-
chant and did business on strictly honest principles. In those
davs delivery wagons were unknown and purchasers delivered
their own goods. The apple orchards of Middletown Upper Houses
furnished an abundant supply of fruit, both for the cellars and the
cider mills. The lirst cider mill I remember stood at the point
of intersection of the two roads jusl wesl of Dowd's brook, near
where stood the old Fletcher Ranney house. A half mile or so
further west was the Ezra Sage cider mill. The apples were
laid in a large circular trough and were crushed to a pulp by a
ponderous roller moving round the circle by horse-power. Cheeses
were then made of the pomace, and Large tubs below the plat-
form received the juice thai was pressed out, and we boys showed
our interest in the operation by means of straws with which we
sampled the contents of the tubs and barrels. There were two tan-
neries in the village, one of which was the Dowd tannery, the
other, located some lortv rods wesl of OUT place of residence, was
owned and operated by my grandfather, Deacon William Etanney.
There Lived in the wild wood- west of the new cemetery, an old
man by the name of Simon Eubbard. He made salve and peddled
it. and Simon Hubbard's Balve was the best and the only salve in
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 91
the market. Of the quarries of Middletown Upper Houses I need
not speak, except to say that the Towner quarry, the first one
opened, produced an excellent quality of stone, which would com-
pare favorably with that of any of the Cromwell quarries. Its long
distance from the river, however, was a hindrance to its success.
A loco-foco match factory was for a while one of the industries
of Middletown Upper Houses. It was situated on the turnpike
about midway between the tavern and the Williams corner. It
was a small affair, but revolutionized the method of starting fires,
and was a wonderful thing in that day and generation. It con-
signed the tinder-box, with its flint and steel, to the curiosity shop.
Very few of the present population of Cromwell remember the
firm of Sage & Russell, carpenters and builders, who carried on
an extensive business in what is now the Hale and Boardman
neighborhood. The piles of lumber that were in evidence there
in those days, and the workshop, with its dozen or more of men ply-
ing their planes, saws, and hammers, gave to that section of the
town an industrial aspect, indicative of thrift, both to the em-
ployed and employers. Many a good mechanic in that line of
business served his apprenticeship in that establishment. But em-
ployers and employees have long since laid aside their implements
of industry and passed on to the life beyond, where houses are
not made with hands.
Northwest Cromwell also had an industrial plant which furnished
to the country a superior quality of hammers. This plant was
owned and operated by the brothers, Marvin and Isaac Warner,
well known by the present generation, and kindly remembered as
being among our most useful and respected citizens.
The founders of the plant in North Cromwell have long since
passed away, but their works remain to testify of their ingenuity
and enterprise in the building up of an establishment which has
contributed so much to the welfare of Cromwell. The products
of their industry have been distributed in every part of the country
the Christmas sun shines on, to the delight and amusement of
young America; and may this delight and amusement long con-
tinue from the same source.
A brick kiln was once one of the industries of Middletown Upper
Houses. It was located on the Joseph Edwards property near
to what was the entrance to "Fur-Neck." Jn the woods of that
vicinity were numerous shellbark walnut trees, which furnished
the boys of the neighborhood their winter's supply of the finest
quality of walnuts, and the Round Meadow nearby was our skat-
ing park. In my last round there on skates I was tripped up
by coming in contact with shell ice, and went home with a bloody
92 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
face. That ended my skating days. I will make mention here
of a remarkable event which occurred when I was thirteen years
old, and I suppose" I was the only one in Middletown Upper
Houses who witnessed it. It was about three o'clock in the morn-
ing of November 13, 1833. As I was lying in bed I happened to
look out of the window and one of the grandest spectacles the
world ever saw me1 my eyes. Meteors were falling thick as snow-
flakes; it was a magnificent sight, and I afterwards regretted that
I did not rouse the neighborhood to see it.
A comb manufactory, on a small scale, was one of the indus-
tries of Middletown Upper Houses; it did not flourish to any
great extent, however, and had but a brief existence. The proprie-
tor was postmaster for a short time, and was probably the first to
introduce the letter-carrier system into the Post Office Department.
On a Sunday he would kindly take with him to church the letters of
those who lived at a distance, and deliver them to the addressee.
He did not long remain a resident of the place. A vault in the
old cemetery which he built for the last resting-place of. a daugh-
ter bears silent testimony to his useful and honorable career as a
citizen of the town. •
At the Nooks lived Alexander Sage, whose extensive and widely-
known watermelon patch invited trespassers from all directions.
A boatload of young men and women from Middletown visited the
place on a Sunday, and on the return trip the boat capsized and
two of the women were drowned. The event caused quite a sen-
sation at the time, and was regarded a retributory act of Provi-
dence for the violation of the Lord's day.
There were two churches in Middletown Upper Souses; the
Congregational, which stood on the village green, and the Baptist,
which stood some fifteen or twenty rods below. 1 well remember
Eev. Joshua L. Williams, pastor of the Congregational Church.
who lived in the house now occupied by the family of the late
Joseph Edwards. With pastor Zebulon Crocker 1 was better ac-
quainted, and it was during his pastorate that a more friendly
feeling existed between the two denominations: a union Sun-
day School picnic was one of the results of this friendly feeling.
At this picnic I was highly honored in being called upon by Pastor
(rocker for a Bpeech. Now speechifying was not in my line of
business; but I ventured to Launch out. I am happy to say there
were no reporters for the press around in those days, and fortu-
nately there is no one now M\iiiL r , excepl myself, that remembers
anything about it ; hut the woods where the picnic was held are
-till atanding, so the} were not blasted by it. though it was a
scorcher. The Congregational Church edifice was a two-story
HISTORY OF. THE SOCIETY 93
square-frame building, and, as it had galleries its seating capacity
must have been about four hundred; its pulpit was elevated some
eight or ten feet above the first floor, and had a large, ponderous-
looking sounding-board overhead. Besides the regular narrow
slips, there were numerous large, square, family pews. But the
Congregationalists outgrew their place of worship and built the
finer, larger and more commodious structure on the hill and
matched it with a fine, brick parsonage.
. The Baptist meeting house originally stood on the green near
where the Catholic Church now stands; it was a frame building
sixty by forty-five feet, with the narrow slips and family pews
arrangement. The first pastor I remember was Elder Frederick
Wightman. who was the father of the eminent lawyer, Stillman K.
Wightman, one of whose sons is following in the footsteps of his
grandfather as Baptist preacher. In those days the church was
heated by wood fires in long, box stoves, and little foot-stoves
filled with live coals were used by the ladies, who found them
indispensable to their comfort.
The ladies living at a long distance from the church would
bring their lunch with them, and in the summer season during the
intermission between the morning and afternoon services they
would resort to the residence of a neighbor nearby to enjoy the
fragrance of the flowers, and the flavor of the fennel which the
garden supplied in great abundance. After the resignation of
Elder Wightman the meeting house was moved to the more central
location just below the village green; here alterations were made
and the interior modernized; the pulpit was placed in front be-
tween the two outside doors, and the seats arranged accordingly, so
that timid people coming in late would have to go through the ter-
rible ordeal of facing the congregation. But it had one advantage ;
it saved the necessity of turning the head to see the newcomer.
But, like their neighbors, the Congregationalists, the Baptists
outgrew their old house of worship and built the more modern and
commodious edifice on the hillside where the residence of Capt.
Thomas Stow once stood. Here they have worshipped for many
years, and will continue to hold the fort in defense of the faith
once delivered to the saints.
The military parades of that day are worthy of mention. Armed
and equipped as the law required, the valiant soldiers would march
up and down the streets of the village, preceded by martial strains
of music from fife and drums, and followed by a crowd of young-
sters to whom such displays of military maneuvers were more
attractive and interesting than to those who were affording them so
much of amusement and recreation. These annual parades ex-
94 MIDDLETOWN CTPPEE HOUSES
empted those who participated in them from certain taxes and thus
compensated them for their observance of the law.
Cromwell can boast of two institutions that were never dreamed
of by the inhabitants of Middletown Upper Houses: First, the
Savings Bank. The people at that time were not, as a rule, over-
burdened with money; there were but few exceptions, and these
few were under the necessity of taking their surplus to Middletown.
In those days there was much less danger of losing money and
other valuables by midnight marauders: indeed, such a thing as
burglary was unknown, and people could retire for the night with
the latch-string out, and sleep soundly and safely, with none to
molest or make them afraid. But in these times of Frenzied
Finance, when speculation and peculation are the order of the day,
Savings Banks are indispensable to the protection and benefit of
the community.
The other institution of which our ancestors never dreamed is
the Chinese Laundry. China was a walled-in Empire away the
other side of the planet, and it never occurred to them that these
walls would one day be broken down, and the Chinese go swarming
all over the world. And then alien laundries in rural districts
were unnecessary. Simplicity and economy in dress made family
washes light compared with those of the present day. But the
great change that has taken place in the wardrobes of modern
times makes the laundry business boom. And the Celestial who
is plying his earthly profession in your midst is one of the best
of his nationality.
Citizens of the Cromwell of to-day : I most heartily greet you,
and congratulate you on having in your midst our enterprising
friend, Charles Collard Adams. On him you have depended for
planning and executing this beautiful tribute to former distin-
guished eiti/ens of your town. This table) shows how well he lias
accomplished the work you committed to his hands. I can readily
understand that in the performance of this duty he has expe-
rienced as much pleasure as his fellow-citizens are now experi-
encing in the reception and contemplation of the finished work.
It marks a new epoch in the history of Cromwell. The ante-
cedent period leading up to it is full of interesting events which
will be indelibly impressed on the minds of the present and
future generations. This tablet is a view point from which we
ma\ not only look into the past, but watcb with greater LU-
teresl the unfolding of the future. It has been said that "it
is as natural for a man to wish for imperishable fame as for
an eternal existence." The author of these words, Bushnell,
achieved for himself the imperishable fame, and long since entered
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 95
upon his eternal existence ; but Bushnell Park will ever be resound-
ing with his praise by the citizens of Hartford. Ordinarily monu-
ments are objects of interest only to the family to which the de-
ceased belonged. In this busy world of ours the dead are soon for-
gotten. Yet there are those whose lives are so interwoven with the
lives of others, and specially prominent in public life, as to merit
and receive such honors as are now accorded to the group whose
names are immortalized on these tablets.
" Lives of great men all remind us.
We can make our lives sublime;
And, departing leave behind us.
Foot-prints on the sands of time."
The closing address of the celebration was given by the Rev.
Edward Eells, descendant of the second pastor, on
The Colonial Pastor
Someone will ask "What has this to do with Bunker Hill
Day ? " This much can be truthfully said of the pastors of our
colonies, particularly in New England, " They made the men who
made the fight." Among those heroes upon whose graves you
have placed your silken flags this afternoon, together with those
born here in Upper Houses but buried in other spots or left unbur-
ied, hastily placed in a shallow and unmarked grave amid the stress
of marches and of battles for our Country's freedom, soldiers of
the War of the Revolution were three sons of my ancestor, the
Rev. Edward Eells. They had sat under his preaching from
babyhood. He had taught them their catechism. He had instilled
into their forming minds the sturdy sense of duty, of devotion, of
self-sacrifice, of high ideals, from which they did not swerve
through eight years of constant battling. They had few books,
no papers, no magazines. Such honest thoughts as they had they
got from hearing their father in his home and in the pulpit of the
meeting house which stood on the green only a few rods south
of this church. And as a man thinketh so is he.
My parson ancestor also sent his own boys to the battlefield.
Edward was already in the " troop of horse " commanded by Capt.
Comfort Sage, when the news of Lexington came, and he started
the next day. My pastor ancestor was not spared to go himself,
as did three of his sons, for in the autumn of 1776, the birth year
of our Independence, he was laid in yonder cemetery^ having said,
" Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace ; for mine
eyes have seen Thy salvation."
REUNION OF THE SOCIETY
June 19, 1907
On May 1 the invitation to, and program of, the Fourth Re-
union of the society was mailed. The day of the reunion was fair,
and the program was thoroughly carried out.
At 9.30 a. m., on arrival of the early trains, there was a gath-
ering on Stocking Triangle, and the group was photographed by
Mrs. Iva Grover, who has been official photographer to the So-
ciety. Then followed the
Address of Welcome
Rev. William Porkess
Mr. Vice President: I count it a great pleasure to have the
opportunity of giving the address of welcome to those who are
visiting Cromwell to-day in connection with the Reunion of the
Society of Middletown Upper Houses. There are certain words
in our language which seem to strike the cords of our nature
whenever they are uttered. One of those words, I think, is " Re-
union." Many of you to-day are taking each other by the hand
and looking into each other's faces for the first time in two years.
It may even be longer than this. To you, therefore, the word " Re-
union " arouses within your nature feelings of joy. The word,
however, not only brings joy, but also sadness. Some of you,
perhaps, no longer see the faces that you saw at the last gathering.
Their work in this world is over and they have been called to a
superior world to do a superior work. Therefore, I think, to the
intelligent a reunion such as this has its mixture of joy and sad-
ness. It also has the effect of spurring us on to do all that is
within our power for the world in which we live, remembering that
the longest life is but short. Now the primary object of this gather-
ing to-day, if I rigidly understand it, is to do honor to the men
who founded this town now called Cromwell, and also to those who
were connected with it in its early stages. Many to whom I am
speaking may have the blood of these men in their veins, and to
you it must be an especial joy to be present on this auspicious
occasion. There are those of us who cannot claim any relationship,
yet we are pleased to unite with the descendants because we know
through the records of history we are doing honor to men of char-
97
98 MIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES
acter and men who believed in progress. I can uever think of the
men of progress and of character who have lived before ns without
feeling thai we are indebted to them — we have borrowed from
them. We often boast of being independent . but, really, when we
come to go deeply into life there is no such thing as being inde-
pendent. We have borrowed from preceding generations, and were
it not for their spirit of progress and their exemplification of char-
acter which have been banded down and infused into present-day
life we should not see the marks of progress and of character
that we do. This truth of human nature. I believe, ignores any
particular country; it is too universal to be confined to any geo-
graphical limitations. The past has handed on to the present, and
the present is continually drawing from the past. May I illustrate
this? My eye catches the date of 1650, which you see upon this
stone. That was the time when Oliver Cromwell was lighting for
the rights and freedom of the people across the Atlantic. He did
not care anything about being head of England. Exalted political
position was a small thing to him. He was, however, all on fire
for the righteous claims of the people. The spirit of such a man.
I say, was the spirit of a nobleman. Now, let u< jump 257 years,
and what do yon find in this America of to-day? You have in
your Chief Executive a man who has the same cause at heart
and the same spirit that Oliver Cromwell bad. May we not des-
ignate President Roosevelt as the Oliver Cromwell of L907? He
is not working for his own ends, but rather for the rights and
freedom of the many countries thai are represented by the teeming
millions who have flocked to this land. Lei this reunion to-day,
then, make us think of our indebtedness to all noblemen of the
past, men who have stood Eor the highesl type of character, men
who have dared to do the thing thai was right, aever stopping for
one moment to consider the consequences, men who have always
sought the welfare of the masses, men who have striven to honor
God and to let the spirit id' ,le<us Chrisl Lighl up then' Lives. Such
men have left io the world a lasting legacy. Though dead they yet
speak. So a- we emulate their example can we hope to have a
share in leaving that mark of influence upon the world which
can aever he erased. Again, Mr. Vice President, let me express
the -real p|ea~nre it gives me to make the address of welcome to
you on thi- Reunion Day.
The response was given by the Vice President, Mr. John
Goodhue Ranney, as follows:
After listening to the warm words of welcome expressed for
NORTH CROMWELL
Untied States Subvei Map of Cbomweli. in L900
at.. .\i>. BC Original Streets of L650
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 99
us, the representatives of the different " clans," descendants of
" The Middletown Upper Houses," I rise to thank you citizens
of Cromwell, and the speaker who has so ably voiced your greet-
ings to us : And I see gathered about this tablet to " Founders,
Fathers, and Patriots " men of labor and men of thought, who
with reverent hearts draw near and stand beside the names of men
who fought to build and bless this pleasant land.
They, too, were men of toil aud thought,
The nohlest that their age could give.
Their names are with our history wrought ;
They cannot die, and memory live.
And now again, in behalf of the members here assembled, and
also in the behalf of those absent ones of our " clans " whose hearts
are with us, I thank you.
A pilgrimage was then made to the streets of 1650, where the
first comers settled, thence to the " Church Green," where the
first schoolhouse before 1713, the first church of 1715, and the
second church of 1738 had been erected; thence to the cemetery
of 1713, where the visitors found over thirty graves of Revolu-
tionary soldiers, each marked with a Betsy Ross flag and a bronze
marker donated by the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the
American Revolution, the pastors' graves marked with a flag,
while many of the .early graves were designated by large flags.
The Secretary-Treasurer assisted in pointing out the graves of
prominent ancestors of the various clans present.
At noon the business meeting was held in the Baptist Church,
President Frank Langdon Wilcox presiding. The Secretary-Treas-
urer read his report for the two years, which was approved and
accepted with a vote of thanks. The election of officers resulted
as follows:
President, Hon. Frank' Langdon Wilcox, Berlin, Conn.
Vice Presidents : Rev. James Riley Johnson, D. D., Nyack,
N. Y. ; Rev. Francis Goodwin, D. D., Hartford, Conn.; Wm.
Pierrepont White. Utica, N. Y. ; Edgar Jared Doolittle, Meriden,
Conn. ; Zenas Edwards Ranney, Middletown, Conn. ; John Keyes
Williams, Hartford, Conn. ; John Hall Sage, Portland, Conn. ;
Charles Eben Jackson. Middletown, Conn.; Frederick Butler
Wightman, New Rochelle, N". Y. ; Geo. H. Blanden, Springfield,
Mass.; Geo. Washburn Stocking, Sisterville, W. Va.
Secretary-Treasurer, Charles Collard Adams, M. A., Cromwell,
Conn.
Executive Committee : The President ; Charles Henry Stanton,
Clinton, N". Y. ; Ebenezer Goodhue Ranney, Homer, N. Y. ;
100 MIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES
Arthur Boardman, Cromwell, Conn.; John Goodhue Ranney,
Syracuse, NT. Y.
The Executive Committee was empowered to transact the busi-
ness of the Society.
Dinner followed, having been prepared in the church parlors
by the Baptist choir who were assisted by their friends, ninety-
five families in all being represented by the gifts on the table.
Grace was said by the Rev. D. B. Hubbard, pastor of the Third
Congregational Church of Middletown.
Public Exercises
These were held in the church at 2 p. m., and were as follows :
Doxology, The Congregation.
Prayer, The Eev. Charles Wightman.
President's Address, The Hon. F. L. Wilcox, M. A.
" Asher Riley and His Tribe," The Rev. James Riley Johnson, D. D.
Solo, Mrs. William Porkess.
" Armorials of Our Ancestors." Mrs. Charles Ernest Cameron.
"Example of Capt. Nathaniel White," The Hon. W. J. Barber.
Solo, Mrs. William Porkess.
" The Rev. Samuel Johnson, D. D., First President of Kings
College," Charles Collard Adams, M. A.
" The Builders "—A Poem, The Hon. Daniel J. Donahoe.
" Some Early Cromwell Preachers," The Rev. Percy Butler
Wightman.
Hymn, Blest be the Tie That Binds.
Benediction, Rev. Dr. Johnson.
The addresses follow in the order of delivery:
President's Address
The Hon. Frank Langdon Wilcox, M. A.
In the years of long ago, from the thunderings and clouds
of Mt. Sinai, was given to man the noblest code of laws that was
ever submitted for the government of the human rare. Centuries
have rolled along, nations have risen and fallen, the divine in-
tellect of man has molded and advanced out views, progress and
development have encircled the world, until we are all one family
in daily communication one with another. We now understand
things that once were unfathomable mysteries, and not conceiv-
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 101
able in the highest flights of fancy. Yes, since the days of the
wandering Israelites in the wilderness of Arabia, changes, great
changes, have come to the sons of men. Yet no man has suc-
cessfully undertaken to better, by omission or addition, a single
one of those ten stone-graven principles. One of those tried and
proven bases for human conduct is that we shall " Honor our
fathers and mothers, that our days may be long in the land
which the Lord our God has given us." Religiously, sentimen-
tally, and practically, this appeals to us as right. We are creatures
of environment, but more, we are affected by the laws of heredity.
Personally our natures, dispositions, and possessions come from
our forebears, but our larger testamentary bequests are the be-
neficent joys of a safe and sane life in a country made great and
filled with possibilities by generations of men who have lived,
loved, sacrificed, and died, that our heritage might be priceless
and beyond the power of words to describe. Thou shalt " Honor
thy father and thy mother." It is in the desire to " Honor "
them that the Society of Middletown Upper Houses has its be-
ing, and the only claim that can rightly call you here to-day from
I know not how many States of this Union. We Honor them
when we seek to know the principles upon which they governed
their lives, and strive to find the impelling force which enabled
them to perform deeds of nation building. We Honor them if
their lives inspire us to better and l#ss selfish purposes — for they
do affect our characters. Soul upon soul, and life upon life in-
fluences us in a mysterious way. The influence of our daily com-
panions upon us is a recognized force, and the impress of the
lives of those who lived years ago is but little potent. We all
were affected by the words and scenes at the death bed of our late
martyred President McKinley, but who has not been equally
touched by the picture of General Washington, during the dark
days of the Revolution, praying in the snow beneath the trees
at Valley Forge ! ! A real acquaintance with some people is like
April showers upon the brown, dead sod of winter, or like the
sun upon the blossoming earth about us. It brings out all the
sweetness and beauty of life. If we discover that our fathers
and mothers were made brave, virtuous, patriotic, law abiding,
and home builders by the " Little Red Schoolhouse on the hill
and the meeting house hard by it." and by the faithful attendance
upon town meetings; if we find that these three influences were
the first- established in the community, and were the most re-
spected forces recognized for the guidance of their lives, then
we would do well to direct our steps in those same paths, that
patterning after the past, we may have for our posterity a similar
L02 MIDDLKTOWN UPPE1! HOUSES
record of accomplishments, and they a like respect for their
ancestors.
I think the object of the Society of MMdletown Upper Houses
may be summarized as in the words of an address at a meeting
of the Connecticut Society of the Order of the Founders and
Patriots of America on August 6, 1898:
" To have reverent regard for the name-, characters, his-
tory, and heroism of the founders of this country and their
Patriotic Descendants.
•• To commemorate and celebrate events in the history of
the colonies and of the Republic.
"To inculcate patriotism in the associates and their de-
scendants.
" To secure these ends by bringing together men and
women whose ancestors struggled together for life and liberty,
home and happiness in this land."
Yes, it is a delightful faculty of our nature that permits our
thoughts, <nir sympathies, and our happiness to build upon the
past, and to reach out into the future. Daniel Webster said:
■■ We live in the past by a knowledge of its history, and in the
future by hope and anticipation."
Other associations meet here and there by imitation, by fa-
voring circumstances, or rotation, but this society has always held
their reunions at this early home of their ancestors. We, too,
would cultivate the feeling of home here, and feel that we are
on the spot where the first scene of our history was laid; where
the hearth and altars of Now England were first placed. We
look around us. and behold the flowing river, the hills, and fertile
lands that gladdened the eyes of our Fathers. Mow beautiful
it looked in those early days of the country can be gained from
John Adams, who wrote in 1771, while traveling by horseback
through this valley, "The Connecticut Valley was the finest ride
in America. NTothing can exceed the beauty and fertility of the
country. [Note this] MMdletown, I think, is the most beautiful
of all." Dr. Timothy Dwight, President of Yale College, in
September, L796, thus described the scenerj as he looked upon
it from the southward: " [mmediately north of the city, lies an
extensive interval through which runs a large mil] stream. Be-
yond it. a distance of three miles, appears in full view on the
southern declivity of a fine eminence, the handsome village called
'The I'pper lion-.-.'" A few days later Dr. Dwight passed
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 103
through it, and thus described his impression: "The parfsh,
called Upper Houses, is a beautiful tract of fertile land. The
village which bears this name, and contains a considerable part
of the inhabitants, is a thrifty settlement on the southern de-
clivity of a beautiful hill. The houses, about eighty in number,
are generally well built, and the whole place wears an air of
sprightness and prosperity. An advantageous trade is carried on
by the inhabitants, particularly with the West Indies."
A delightful story of the early days of Cromwell could be writ-
ten, and, in fact, was written in 1880 by the Eev. M. S. Dudley,
but I will only ask your attention for a few moments to a brief
description of the land map of the original proprietors of ftlid-
dletown Upper Houses, that has often appeared in our publications,
and which appears on page 6 of this volume.
Traveling by land from Hartford to New Haven, Guilford, and
other settlements on the Sound, or by water to Saybrook, Matta-
beseeke, Middletown Upper Houses early attracted attention. The
town meeting records extant begin in 1652; the land grants
were first recorded in 1654 to — " Whereon his house standeth,"
showing they were already established in their houses. The first
to come to Upper Houses, 1650 or 1651, were Nathaniel White,
Samuel Stocking, George Graves, Eobert Webster, Joseph Smith,
Matthias Treat, John Savage, and William Blomfield.
Blomfield had served in 1637 against the Indians, and about
1655 left the Upper Houses. Websier. son of Governor John, and
ancestor of Noah Webster, became " recorder " in 1654, but re-
turned about 1659 to Hartford, as did George Grave. Both were
eminent in founding the " South Church " of Hartford. Smith
and Treat returned to Stepney, now Boeky Hill. John 2 Wilcox
bought the Smith and Treat homesteads, but soon sold them to
Samuel Hall who was his. cousin. He, Wilcox, settled in Mas-
sachusetts for a few years, but returned to Upper Houses and
brought a part of the Thomas Hubbard place. Thomas Bannev
took the Grave homestead, and John 2 Warner (Andrew 1 ) took
the Webster place.
White was on the north side of the street running from Stock-
ing Triangle to the river. Stocking owned on both sides of the
street known as Pleasant, his land extending from the river
westward beyond Stocking Triangle, which was his property. A
few years later came John Kirby on the west side of Pleasant
Street, next south of Stocking; then came David Sage, John
Wilcox, and Thomas Hubbard, while on the south side of " South
Street " was John Savage and Anthony Martin. Hubbard died
in 1671, and John Clark, marrying Elizabeth 2 White (Nathaniel 1 ),
104 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
became the owner of the south half, while John Wilcox owned the
north half of the Hubbard grant.
The original layout must have been done with a knowledge
of freshet conditions; for the land north of White's strip and
the land south of Savage and Martin and Blomfield are covered
by spring freshets. West of the homesteads is a small stream,
known in early days as " Wilcox Brook " bordered by swamp land,
so that the entire settlement was of the nature of an island, which
m really was on May 4, 1854, when the Ilolyoke, Mass., dam
gave way.
Samuel Stocking had land nearly opposite this (Baptist) church.
and gave it to his daughter, Bethiah, who married Thomas Stow.
The land on which this (Baptist) church stands was allotted to
John WilcoXj and on it he established his son Samuel. In 1695
this grant was confirmed by town vote to Samuel, and a few rods
back of this spot was born Daniel Wilcox who, in the great dis-
tribution of the " Northwest quarter " now known as East Ber-
lin, acquired nearly a square mile, and in due time divided it
among his fourteen children, giving them each a house, barn, and
farm. My father was horn and lived on one of them.
We have now, in 1780. White, Stocking, Ranney, Warner. Hall,
Savage, Martin, Kirby, Sage, Wilcox, and (Mark living on the
" Original Layout," while some of the children had married and
had settled on land up this street towards Hartford, and on either
side of it. In 1G87 Edward Shepard was given land next north
of this " Samuel Wilcox homestead.*" having married Abigail
Savage.
In 1703 a " North Church Society " was incorporated by the
General Assembly, the Warner "homestead" was bought for thi
" Society," and Bev. David Deming for a few years, and then
Rev. Joseph Smith occupied it, holding services and being paid
by a tax " rate " on each family. On January 6, 1715 (new style),
Mr. Smith was Instituted, anil the church originated. At this time
hardly a name other than those I have recited above had come
into the " Upper Bouses." All the original settlers had died,
wlnle Clark and Stow survived. The cemetery was laid out in
January, 1713, and Thomas Ranney died January 21, 1713, and
his stone would indicate that his was the lirst burial.
Let me now sketch as briefly as I may, an account of the
beginnings of our Society, and some of the things we have ac-
complished.
In L711, ami two weeks before his death at eighty-two, Na-
thaniel White, who had represented the town of Middletown in
the Qreal and General Courl for forty-two and one-half years, and
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 105
who had led in the contest to have the Upper Houses receive meir
share of the town's school tax money, and had succeeded by the
action of this court in 1709, made his will giving one-fourth of
his interest in the common and undivided land of the town to the
" Schools already established." These were the " Town School,"
whose schoolhouse stood in the middle of the Main Street of Mid-
dletown, and the school in the Upper Houses. This schoolhouse
undoubtedly stood on the green south of the Baptist Church in
which we are now assembled.
The district system prevailed here until 1901, when the Legis-
lature gave permission to issue bonds for the erection of a fine
edifice. The name, " The Nathaniel White Public School," chosen
by unanimous vote of the town on January 6, 1902, had been
suggested by Mr. Adams, who had devoted much time to a studv
of local history including that of the Patriots of 1776. In 1902
he obtained from the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the
American Eevolution bronze markers, about thirty in number, for
those patriots whose graves here are marked with a stone, and
at the same time he planned to have a reunion on Bunker Hill
Day of descendants of the early families, but deferred his plan
till 1903. On Bunker Hill Day, 1903, a reunion, mostly of the
Ranney clan was held, and a boulder was dedicated to the Pa-
triots of '76, born here, but buried elsewhere, some on the battle-
fields, some from the prison ships, some from hospitals, while
others had survived and removed to other settlements. So that
every patriot credited with a birth in the Upper Houses was
honored by this boulder, which, in the distant past, an iceberg
or glacier had dropped on the land which became the homestead
of John Kirby. This boulder had been placed outside the old
cemetery grounds. Children carrying flags stood about it and
were photographed, and some recited. From the platform, erected
near by, addresses were made by various ones, and a photograph
was taken of some fifty persons grouped about the headstone and
granite block at the grave of Thomas Ranney, the only Founder
who lived to see a cemetery laid out in the Upper Houses. The
granite rock which rests on his grave had been a part of a huge
glacier of which he had been the first white owner, and which
had been brought from " Timber Hill " of which he had been
the first " proprietor." Here the Ranney Memorial and His-
torical Association was founded, with Mr. R. B. Ranney of New
Castle, Penn., as president, he having suggested the formation
of such an association in a letter which had a substantial cash
gift in it, as an earnest of his interest, and with Mr. S. O. Ran-
ney and Mr. C. K. Ranney as vice presidents.
106 MIDDLETOW.Y UPPER HOUSES
Id 1904, on Bunker TTill Day. a much larger celebration was
held, and the mortal- and shells were added to the memorial to
the Patriots of '76. Mansfield Post, No. 53, G. A. R., and its
Women's Relief Corps, with the Post's Drum Corps, made up from
ii- veteran members, about one hundred in all, and about two
liu in! red children, led the descendants in the procession to the
cemetery where the mortar and shells were unveiled by two misses,
one of whom was descended from four patriots buried here.
Honors were paid to the dead heroes. Returning to the Baptist
Church, exercises were held, and addresses were made by a num-
ber. It was decided to change the name to " The Society of
Middletown Upper Houses," as the Ranney name gave the im-
pression that the association was only for descendants of Thomas
Ranney.
In 1905 we met on July 19, with the thermometer at 94°.
You know just what we did that day, including the incorporating
of the Society, and making as charter members everyone who had
at any time contributed at least one dollar.
At each of these reunions tables were spread in Briggs Hall, and
the ladies of Cromwell provided a dinner, receiving only our
thanks for what labor they had experienced to make our home com-
ing a hearty " Welcome."
But so hearty had been the courtesy of the pastors and people
of this church in opening its doors to us. that it occurred to a
few that electric lights would properly express our appreciation
of tins courtesy, and so electricity has beerj the Baptist " Standard "
since then. This year the ladies of the Baptist Choir and their
friends undertook to prepare the feast of fat things for our wel-
come, and we recognized this hospitality by decreeing that they
should be the beneficiaries of our price of admission to their board
and generosity.
Those who were here in 1905 saw the memorial to the Patriots
located near the cemetery, while the granite and bronze memorial
to the Founders, Fathers, and Pastors was on "Stocking Tri-
angle/ 5 To-day they have been seen side by side on " Stocking
Triangle," and their silence speaks to every passer-by. These
Fathers, Founders, Pastors, and Patriots " Being dead vet speak."
To honor the "Church Green" for the uses to which it was
put to in early days our Society has set out. twenty-one maple
trees, and may the days to come witness our children and grand-
children gathering beneath their shade.
Our Society is supported by voluntary contributors, etc, but
we have a system of creating Life Membership and our Certificate
seeks to honor all our ancestors through its various features, etc.
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 107
Our sixteen page pamphlet, issued May 1, tells our condition
at the time of its issue.
There has also been completed, and is now in course of publica-
tion by the well-known genealogical Grafton Press of New York,
a book of the several clans that settled Middletown Upper Houses.
This is mainly the work of our efficient secretary, Mr. Charles
Collard Adams. He has labored with some considerable co-opera-
tion from-many, yet in the face of great indifference and lukewarm-
ness from others who should have felt honored to assist in such
a meritorious object. The edition is limited. Every family of
the descendants of our worthy ancestors should have a copy of the
book for their own use, and as a family record for their children.
In conclusion, I apologize for the length to which I have run
in addressing you. Probably my interest in my subject has over-
topped a better judgment. The Society has an honorable record
up to date. May it go on to greater honors, and may our days
indeed " Be long in the land which has been given to us."
Asher Riley and His Tribe
The Rev. James Riley Johnson, D. D.
The family Bibles of early settlers, in New England, were
alike counted sacred as records of religion and family names.
In the old Asher Riley Bible, now in my possession, it is written
that, " Asher Riley and Rebecca Sage were married in a. n. 1773,"
and the birthday and name of each of their thirteen children are
supplemented. That Rebecca Sage was my maternal grandmother,
and a sister of Russell Sage's paternal grandfather, therefore, Rus-
sell Sage and I were second cousins, he being my senior, by birth,
one and a half years, and sixty million dollars in advance of me
financially at death ! The fourth child of Asher Riley and Rebecca
Sage was James, who grew to stalwart manhood in the section
of his birthplace. Here he married, and four children were added
to his home. He worked his way into the seafaring business, and
sailed, commander of his own vessel, between New York and
foreign ports. Outward hound he was storm-wrecked on the
barren coast of Africa, losing his ship and cargo. He and his
crew were seized as slaves by wild Arabs and horribly treated for
two years. Ransomed by a noble English officer, William Will-
shire, he returned to New York, broken in health and fortune.
He wrote his " Narrative " of slavery in Africa in 1817, which
was published here and in England, and widely read here and
abroad. Captain Riley then abandoned marine business, went out
to northwestern Ohio, entered a section of wild land, laid out the
108 MIDDLKTOWX UPPER HOUSES
village of Willshire, built a mill, surveyed lands was elected to
the Staate Legislature, and was a stirring man until ^s h^th was
impaired by the damp climate. He moved back to New York
City regained health, and returned to sea life between New \ork
and 'the West Indies. In an out-bound trip as commander of his
commercial freighted vessel he died, and was buried at sea, near
the Isle of St. Thomas, in 1840.
The family of Captain Rilev inherited much of his mental
power and natural aptitudes. His son, James Watson, has sons
now active bankers in Ohio, and his daughters, Mrs. Ashley in
Denver, Colo., and Mrs. Hodder in Boston, Mas, are cultured
and refined women. His other son, William Willshire, left no
^^descendants of the other sons and daughters of the Rileys,
so far as I have known, have been worthy without exception.
Some families are widely scattered through the States, some may
try still to honor New York Citv. and if the average ; citizens .of
Worcester, Mass., equal those toned with the blood nobility, social
instincts, and graces of the "Riley colony on and about Bigelow
Hill," that city must be a second Paradise
The only pre-eminent Riley of our family stock was the ate
Right Rev Doctor Henry Ghauncey Riley, D. D LL D., Bishop
of Mexico for thirty years, who died there in 1004 He was born
in Chile, 1834, educated in Spanish until seventeen, then en-
tered Columbia University, N. Y., and was graduated, studied .more
in England, saw the Holy Land, and soon after commenced his
Episcopal ministry in Mexico City. Mexico, by revolution, been,,
a republic. Church and state were then separated, and some church
properties were confiscated and sold at auction. Dr. Riley bought
the " Church of Jesus." When he tools possession of it, one wing
was occupied as a stable, the other by a circus and the main body
by rubbish. He put the property in order, and soon had a hearing
by the multitude. He organized orty missions, with native
,/,„,„„. Sixteen years ago he visited me in ffyack, and lectured
on Mexico Be was a splendid specimen as a man, refined and
StedTanfrator,andWhis Eortoe of $300,000, and died
-,„„•. We embraced Lovingly when he Left me to return, and died
"tSTSSj families of Sages. Montagues, Savages Ranneys, and
Johnsons did much to give iWu, and history to old Connecfacut
Sun,- branches moved lesl to gain the advantages oj new and*
Mv parents were of this adventurous class moving from here to
Mount Vernon, Ohio, where 1 wasborn, January 30 1818 LI
ani bound by blood and historic environmenl to Rev. Dr. Samuel
A. M. Ward and Wife. Delia Bidwell
(See page 005 >
\V \i:n GRISWOLD < 'ami RON
(See page 606)
(See p
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 109
Johnson and his son, William Samuel Johnson of Connecticut,
successive presidents of the then " Kings College," in New York,
now Columbia University; to Eev. Joseph H. Johnson, Episcopal
Bishop of Los Angeles, California, relative; and Dr. Riley, late
Bishop of Mexico, and the late financial Russell Sage, whose body
sleeps in a steel encasement, and dear ones living. Yet, in hope
and sympathy, my country is the world, and my kindred are all
mankind.
As for my own personality, you can know hut little. I have
been in the ministry sixty-five years, have been on school boards
twenty years, have been a legislator in Massachusetts, a lecturer
for the Maryland Institute in Baltimore, have built churches,
begged for colleges and charities, have been active in reforms,
in lodges of the humanities, have voted at every presidential elec-
tion from 1840, have heard the church bells toll for all of our
departed presidents but General George Washington, have two
daughters, one son, four grandchildren, have noted our national
growth from ten to eighty millions, and yet keenly love and live.
Armorials of Our Ancestors
Mabel Ward Cameron (Mrs. Charles Ernest Cameron)
In every age, from prehistoric to the present time, symbolism
lias entered largely into the life of the world's inhabitants. Nearly
all objects found in nature have been incorporated at some period
in the distinguishing marks of individuals or communities. Ac-
cording to the Biblical story Jacob gave to each of his children
marks of distinction, as to Judah, a lion; the eagle was the
symbol of the Romans, an owl of the Athenians; clan badges
have been taken from native shrubs and flowers, while the bear, the
turtle, and other animals distinguished tribes of North American
Indians.
But although the desire for distinction has always been an
attribute of the human mind, it is difficult to assign the exact
period at which this desire, expressed in an individual cognizance,
took the form of armorial ornament. Although the symbols used
from remote periods of history were the precursors of the system
of heraldry, the science as known to us was not organized as a
reward of merit and with hereditary features until about the
middle of the thirteenth century.
The crusades undoubtedly aided this development as a means
of distinction between individuals and nations, yet their actual
effect in regard to organization has undoubtedly been overesti-
mated. The importance of the system in connection with the
110
MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
tournament, as well as with actual warfare was early apparent,
and, during the age of chivalry, strict rules were formulated
Officers, or heralds, were appointed whose business it was not only
to emblazon coats-of-arms and arrange the details of the joust,
but to attend to everything connected with real warfare.
Arms were assumed at will, but, if a man presumed to use those
pre-empted by another, the one with prior claim sought means of
redress exactly as if other valuable property had been stolen
However, the use of armorials was not really proper Iv regulated
until 1483, when the heralds, forming into a society, were in-
corporated by charter. In them was vested the power to grant
arms to persons of newly acquired consequence for arms were
now looked upon as marks of genUUy, rather than as warlike
emblems. With the development of military science and the
formation of a standing army, the decline of heraldry was japid.
By the beginning of the sixteenth century it was already passing
into the so-called " paper stage."
Although the application of armorials to-day can only be con-
sidered from the standpoint of this "paper stage, and for mod-
ern individuals their use is restricted to mere marks of g^ty,
vet, in order that no blunders be made by either men or v>omen
in ising them, it is advisable to study their evolution, and consider
the practical application of the various parts of an armorial
achievement during the period of actuality The pictorial .rep-
resentation is called an " achievemcnt-at-arms," because by kmghth
deeds the honor of arms was achieved. ,.,,.., , rtQ+ • „
In the analysis of an achievement the shield is the most im-
portant object. When pictured, in heraldic nomenclature this
I called an escutcheon. Embellishment in the heraldic manner
came into use at the time of Richard I. Undoubtedly many of
the strange designs ado P t,d at tins period were oi Eastern ^origin
the inheritance from remote antiquity brought to the not c of
warriors while taking part-in the crusades. The adjustment of a
Erf worn upon the person, or the plac ng of a bar of wood or
boss to reinforce and strengthen the shield were also alike sugj
gestive of ornamental Lines. Other deigns referred to some act
It the bearer, the memory of whirl, was deemed by his superiors
is made in describing a coai>of-arms. The device borne upon the
shield therefore, is the insignia of the Eamily (see plate 1), and.
at the period of actual use, this sa.no design was often woven
or embroidered on the Burcoal and worn over the armor bv the nan
U whom he arms or device belonged. By the laws of heraldry
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY in
do other person was allowed to use this device, except members
of his immediate family. The wife, the sons, and the daughters
shared the right, and were allowed to wear the arms, but in the
case of descendants, duly differenced to show what relationship
the wearer held to the head of the house.
In the fourteenth century, when heraldry was at its fullest
splendor, a man's every possession, useful or ornamental, was
linked to him in an heraldic manner. The members of his
inSSE*.!! lm A }' vai }Sement for a commoner, a plain shield displaying
I ; £ on .1 fami 'y- " is surmounted by a crest upon its torse,
t\\ ist. or wreath. Underneath is the motto upon its ribbon.
family displayed his arms embroidered upon robes of baudequin,
samite, siclaton. and cendal,* and woven into the rich hangings
which adorned his walls the emblem was repeated again and
again, and each of his sons, as he reached the proper age, proudly
♦Baudequin a variation of cloth-of-gold, a substantial material
for dresses vestments, palls, and canopies of thrones. Samite, a thick
fir/ S >" auI'- WOV - en ° f Six threads wi *h a streak of gold running
through All kings in the Middle Ages used quantities. Edward I.'s
nobles bought from the royal wardrobe. Siclaton, a thinner, lighter
silk used for surcoats on festal occasions. Cendal and taffeta were
silky substances less costly.
112
MIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES
bore upon his own shield the same device, a device which he in
turn would transmit as a most precious heritage to his own legal
heirs. Arbitrary laws were early evolved, and are still in force,
in regard to the marshalling or arrangement of the insignia, and
the use of the accessories of the shield.
For Americans interest is confined to the rules governing com-
moners. For this reason supporters — the two figures sometimes
placed at either side of the shield — and other accessories which
belong exclusively to the nobility musl never appear in the achieve-
ment of an American gentleman (see plate ''. Duke of Leinster).
He may, however, with his shield, use a helmet supporting the
cresl upon its torse ot wreath, the ornamental mantling, and the
motto upon the ribbon (see plate 3 ).
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY
113
After marriage the arms of his wife's family are impaled with
his own for the use of himself and wife, and would appropriately
appear, together with the crest and other accessories, upon the
architectural decoration of the home, upon the door panels of the
carriage, or upon any article of common property. If, however,
the wife wishes to ornament any of her individual possessions with
coat-armor, she must forego the use of all the accessories, and
use the shield alone upon which the insignia would be marshalled
exactly as for the use of her husband. If she desires extra orna-
mentation, an especially appropriate design would be to suspend
the masculine shield from a feminine bowknot (see plate 4). It
FIGURE 4. The arms of a husband and wife. The coats of two
families impaled, i. e., placed side by side upon a shield which has been
divided in half by a vertical line. The wife correctly uses the shield
alone without any of the accessories.
cannot too strongly be emphasized that wifehood is the only con-
dition in which it is allowable for a woman to use a shield. The
lozenge or diamond-shaped surface, first used in England in
1284, is the form upon which all widows and spinsters should
display the family insignia (see plates 5 and (5).
Regarding the law of inheritance — no person can legally use
coat-armor belonging to an ancestor in the maternal line. If
114
MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
my mother belonged to an armigerous family, I may, if I wish,
hang a copy of the arms of that family upon the wall with other
relics, but I have no right to use the device as a distinguishing
mark upon my notepaper or silver. Armorials are not transmitted
through a daughter; the one exception to this rule refers to
women who are heiresses in the heraldic sense (see plate 3). The
matter of family use, too, in which the daughters have an equal
fan**.
share for life with their brothers was, in the period of
necessarily restricted to the device «>r insignia alone.
reason the absurdity will be apparenl of the assnmpti
by women of other parts of an achievement-at-arms.
Prom lli»' nature of their origin all the accesso]
appertain to men. Chief to be considered is the crest,
of an achievement came into general use only about the
actuality.
Eor this
on to-day
tin- shield
This part
beginning
HISTOEY OF THE SOCIETY 115
of the sixteenth century. Earlier than this its use was restricted
to knights and men of high rank. As an ornament, it must have
been a cumbrous thing to carry. It was sometimes carved from
a block of light wood, oftener modeled from boiled leather with
parts made from canvas, and its size was incongruous in com-
parison with the helmet upon which it rested. It is not probable,
however, that discomfiture in wearing so heavy a headpiece was
entailed upon the owner for any great length of time. In actual
battle the crest was undoubtedly laid aside, and only in the
tournament did warriors face each other with their helmets sur-
mounted by an enormous scaly dragon, or proud-stepping leopard.
But no lady of high degree made demand of her true knight that
she might wear his helmet, and forsooth, had she done so, in being
denied, she would have been questioned: "Wherefore? Would
you leave your honorable place of vantage and become a chal-
lenger?" So it needs only a small amount of reflection for a
woman of the present day to understand why the dictum goes forth
that she may use neither the helmet nor its special ornament, the
crest, for why should one assume the pictorial use of objects to
which in their actual working use one may not aspire?
An erroneous idea also prevails among many people that a
crest may be assumed by a man when no right to a full coat exists.
This is an absurdity, for whereas many coats have no crests, no
crest exists independent of the insignia, and no man has a right
to use a crest unless he has a legal inheritance in the whole
armorial achievement of which the crest is a component part.
During the reign of Henry VIII. the importance of heraldry
in regard to giving genealogical information was recognized, and
the work of collecting data was begun. The heralds were ordered
to make visitations to different localities in England for the
purpose of collecting all available information. During these
circuits, which were held every twenty-five years, the kings-of-arms
were attended by various assistants, including a draughtsman, and
the registers kept during their progress contain the lineage and
arms of titled and untitled persons signed by the heads of fam-
ilies. The unlawful user of armorials received humilating pun-
ishment by order of the heralds, and the illegal arms wore de-
stroyed. All the valuable information thus acquired has been
preserved. Many of the original manuscript volumes, dating from
1530 to 1687. are in the library of the College of Arms, but copies
with some originals are in the British Museum. Few of the
gentle families were left unregistered, and it would be almost
impossible to-day to prove an ancestral right to a coat-of-arms
not appearing in these records.
116 MIDDLETOWN CfPPEK HOUSES
But the study of heraldry implies much more than mere in-
vestigation to prove the right to ornament one's possessions with
hereditary symbols. The personal note is of but minor importance
considered in relation to the wide field of research. Although a
survival from medieval times heraldry is still alive and progres-
sive, and should not to-day be classed with alchemy and astrology,
as no longer worthy of serious study. Students of history and
literature and art should acquire more than a superficial knowl-
edge of a science which so greatly stimulates the imagination.
The terms of its nomenclature are in common use by many
authors. Allusions, too apt and poetic to be lost, are to be found
in the words of Shakespeare, Walter Scott, Chaucer, Spenser,
Tennyson, Dante, Ariosto, Tasso, and many other writers. He-
raldic emblems, also, appear upon seals used by schools, universities,
corporations, and the departments of the government. The flags,
as well as the seals, of countries, provinces, and states are of
like nature, and no educated person can well be without tbe
rudiments of the science to which these devices belong.
As the handmaid of art, heraldry affords many beautiful forms,
illustrated in the illumination of antique manuscripts and
books, the decoration of stained glass, paintings, effigies, brasses,
banners, and old silver, and in the embroideries upon vest-
ments, furniture, draperies, book-bindings, and other objects
of artistic value. The traveler in Europe will be more appre-
ciative of Gothic architecture if able to interpret those heraldic
features which have survived to the present day.
During the Commonwealth armorials were the marks for vin-
dictive mutilation. Often ornaments which accompanied them
were spared, but the arms themselves wire attacked with ran-
cor. However these scenes of destruction were not witnessed
by our ancestors.
The great exodus from Kngland hud placed the ocean-wide dis-
tance between the colonists of New England and the iconoclasts
among Cromwell's adherents in the home land, and family tra-
dition, as well as more tangible evidence, demonstrates the esteem
and veneration fell for shield and crest by the men who first
colonized America. In establishing a new home beyond the sea
there was in the minds of the Puritans no thought of removing
class distinction, in seeking liberty for themselves and their
descendants, their idea was nol to establish universal equality,
and armorials, more than anything else, were associated in their
minds with the idea of caste and aristocracy.
It is only accessary to consider who these men were and what
they represented to feel cm-tain that the majority among them
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 117
using coats-of-arms, during the first period of the colonies in
Xew England had every right to them, and conformed in their
use to the laws then in force in the homeland. It is well known
that among the pioneers were men of high social standing, the
near kin of the greatest men of the day, who in England had
lived in honor and affluence. They were entirely unlike ordinary
colonists, having nothing in common with the immigrants of later
years, but came to the new world in large communities with their
plans of government fully matured. Among their number were
men of culture, possessing the superior innate qualities which
would have tended to distinguish individuals, had they remained
in England. There were clergymen, physicians, magistrates, and
military officers, and they possessed horses, cattle, and other
property.
It is true that spirituality was the dominant note in the char-
acter of the settlers, and that they considered the invisible to he
of more importance than the visible. The desire to establish a
church and state, according to their ideals, outweighed the love
for ancestral homes, but coexistant with their deep religious feel-
ing was also the fundamental pride of family and race.
The seals used by the colonists and much of their plate were
engraved with coats-of-arms. These, with paintings and mor-
tuary inscriptions, give us to-day the clues for research in this
line. "
The historian of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Com-
pany says : " Military distinction and heraldry were the only
appendages of monarchical government tolerated in the province
of Massachusetts Bay. The armorial bearings emblazoned in water
colors and neatly framed, which were the only ornaments in nearly
every house, were justified by the declaration in the Book of Num-
bers that ' Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his
own standard with the ensign of his father's house ' " (" History of
the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company," by Oliver Aver
Roberts, vol. i. p. 6.)
Upon the ancient gravestones appear coats-of-arms, often with
the added word, " Armiger." Among others in Connecticut, that
in memory of Gershom Bulkeley, dated 1713, is in the old
Wethersfieid yard. He was the father of the Rev. Gershom
Bulkeley, pastor of the North Society here in Cromwell from 1778
to 1808, and an ancestor of the wife of Rev. Mr. Adams, our
Society's secretary. Impressions from seals are found upon let-
ters, bonds, wills, and documents settling estates. Among such
arc the personal seals of the Governors of Connecticut.
On the will, dated August 1, 1705, of Samuel Eells. of Hing-
118 MIDDLETOWN UPPEE HOUSES
ham, Mass., father of Nathaniel Eells. one of the early settlers in
the Middletown Upper Houses, appears the impression of the
coat-of-arms used by him. This is one of the coats called amies
parlantes, punning, or canting, which reveal the owner's name.
In this case the device consists of three eels. Also of antiquarian
interest to Cromwell families, whether the right of individuals
to use them is, or is not, established, are the arms of the families
of Eanney. Sage, Gilbert. Kirby, Stow, and Stoughton.
Of special interest is the document called the Gore roll of arms.
This is a list of names with the description of the arms used by the
different families therein mentioned, and was probably compiled
by John Gore, a carriage painter in Boston. The earliest coat
recorded is dated 1701, the latest, 1724. The list is thought to
be the notebook referring io hatchments, as this use of armorials
was in vogue at that period, and the dates appended to the shields
coincide with the date of the death of the bearers.
Among men using armorials during the late colonial period
were George Washington, who used an inherited coat-of-arms. and
Benjamin Franklin, who was the subject for a new grant.
Following a custom established among (he first colonists of the
United States, an American of the present day certainly has a
precedent established for the use of his family emblem. It is
not alone the descendant of Puritans who is justified in the use
of the " ensign of his father's house "; the aristocracy of America
derives its origin from the founders of the different colonies.
The Puritans of New England, the Cavaliers of Virginia, the
Lords of the Manor of New York, the Huguenol exiles, and the
quietly clad Quakers — among all of these pioneers in different
parts of eastern America were undoubtedly many armigers. In
the years which have followed the first colonization, the number
having legitimate right to coat-armor has been augmented by
other arrivals, and all Americans to-day who can prove descent
in the direct male line from armigerous ancestors in European
countries have, with their cousins outre mer, an equal right to the
use of the family insignia.
In the use of arms Americans should be guided by the customs
of Kngland. America is governed by English common law, and the
official language is English. The United state- was settled under
English ride, and armorials were then first introduced in con-
formity to English heraldic law. It follows that in America
to-day, in the lack of any local authority, the use of armorials
should be governed by the laws of the English Heralds' College.
The first law to be considered concerns the legitimate right to a
certain insignia and crest. Whoever uses a coat-of-arms an-
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 119
nounces his direct descent from the first grantee, and should be
able to prove this descent exactly as if it were a title to land.
If it is proved that the colonial ancestor used coat-armor, it
is altogether probable that his right will be found recorded in
Heralds' College. Such use, however, is not positive proof of
legality, for there is evidence that some among the colonists were
mistaken in their assumption. It is advisable to-day for Ameri-
cans desiring to use coat-armor to have research made, and their
right verified by application to Heralds' College, England,
where by payment of a reasonable fee, the matter will be settled
officially. This is especially necessary because individuals in the
generations succeeding the first settlers have, by their ignorance
in assuming arms, attracted to this country the reproach of an
English authority, who declares that more assumptive arms are
borne in the United States than anywhere else.
In excuse, ignorant tradesmen are much to blame, who, as self-
styled heralds, often supply spurious arms, copying from some
publication armorials of a family of the same name. It cannot
be too clearly emphasized that identity of name does not argue
identity of origin. There is no such thing as a coat-of-arms
belonging to a particular surname. Arms as a distinguishing mark
are hereditary only in the family of the grantee, or one who
first assumed them. Eelatives or namesakes have no claim to
share with him. One of the first native engravers to place a
stigma upon American heraldry was Nathaniel Hurd, who flour-
ished about 1750. But, whereas many of the arms he supplied
were bogus, in some cases his work had a legitimate foun
dation.
This much cannot be said of some later craftsmen. A father and
son named Coles, who worked from 1776 to 1813, were ready to
supply arms to all who would employ them. The work of these
men has many distinguishing marks, among others the use for
decoration of palm branches beneath the shield ; the phrase " By
the name of Smith," or " Jones," as the case may be, placed upon
the motto ribbon; the badly painted helmet often done in colors,
whereas the inflexible rule is that it should be of steel; and the
ignorant formation of the wreath. Often the latter will be topped
by an American flag in place of the legitimate crest, a most
apparent absurdity.
An almost total disuse of arms during the following years led
to greater ignorance, and when, about 1860, tbcre occurred a
revival of the fashion, arms were used profusely with absolute
disregard of authority. To assume arms which have not at some
period been sanctioned by a college of arms is illegal, and the arms
120 MIDDLETOWiV UPPER HOUSES
are bogus. The man who uses such insignia is a fit subject for
ridicule.
But if he makes of himself a laughing-stock, a still greater of-
fender is one who assumes the legal arms of another. By the
adoption of the heraldic bearings of Kuropean families, or by
the assumption by one American of the arms of a fellow-country-
man of the same name, the usurper makes himself liable to the
gravest charge. In England common law still recognizes the
rightful ownership of armorials. Because in America offenders
are not in reach of such a law, yet more scrupulous heed should
be taken not to offend, and society should punish with the greatest
contempt those who persistently violate that which is law in other
Lands.
It is not, however, entirely on moral grounds that great stress
should be laid on the necessity of honorable dealing in this matter.
Along with the carefully preserved records of town and church
the armorials of our ancestors should give valuable assistance to
the genealogist. If is. therefore, of the highest importance that
no interchange or assumption of illegal arms take place. A greater
insult cannot be offered to an honored ancestor than to announce
in the wrong use of arms descent from an altogether different,
though perhaps contemporaneous, person. But the false assump-
tion of arms is not merely an insult to our ancestors, it is an
even more grievous wrong done to posterity. As this becomes
better understood, more scrupulous attention will be paid to the
laws of heraldry.
The history of a country is made from the history of individuals.
The, ancestry of individuals taken collectively becomes the ancestry
of a people. So genealogy in its broadest scope is of the utmost im-
portance to the historian. In the interesl of authentic history alone.
even bo minor a detail as the use of armorials in the United States
cannot be ignored. The revival in heraldry is not the least im-
portant feature of the increasing interest taken in family history.
A course in heraldry should be introduced in advanced schools.
to be given in conjunction with the study of art and history. But
above all some official action should be takes to regulate the
personal lise of armorials, and to safeguard in some manner from
the undignified attack of ignorant pretenders the history of the
families so closerj linked to the history of the country itself.
Surely the emblem reverenced by our Forefathers as a memorial
of the home in some fan- English shire, and preserved ofttimes
as the only link connecting the offspring of an honored line with
those of his own kin Left beyond the sea surely the device which
gives the personal touch oi warm color to the gray-toned early
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 121
history of our country is as worthy of preservation as is the roof-
tree which sheltered our pioneer ancestor living, or the gravestone
which marks the last resting place of the honored dead!
Example of Nathaniel White
The Hon. William J. Barber
To you who have attended for years these gatherings I have
no doubt Nathaniel White and Samuel Stocking, Thomas Ran-
ney and John Warner, John Wilcox and Thomas Hubbard are rela-
tives, friends and acquaintances; better known in their daily
life of two hundred and fifty years ago than your own neighbors
are to you to-day. But to some of us, who have not had the
opportunity of association with these stalwart sons of those early
days, it is fitting that we take up the life of one of them to-day
somewhat in detail.
Nathaniel White, born in England about 1629, son of Elder
John White, arrived in Boston with his father September 16,
1632. In 1635 they removed to Hartford. So says the record.
But imagine, for a moment, what this means to the coming man.
His father had seen those stirring times in the mother country
that led, during Nathaniel's young manhood, to the days of Oliver
Cromwell and Charles the Second. The narrow life of those early
days must have brought out the ability, in those who had seen the
life in England, to picture in words the everyday scenes of that
far-away world. To the one of whom we write, who had left
the old world at too early an age to have any recollection of it,
what a fairyland the great cities must have appeared. The far-
thest stretch of our imagination gives us but a faint idea of
the situation: he was a child when the city of Hartford was
born, and he grew up in the very heart of a nature so vast and
solemn that it must have had its effect on his life. Surrounded
on all sides by foes, in danger of privation and famine, menaced
by the Indian who was already looking with jealous eye on the
pushing white man, these but served to bring out the sturdy man-
hood that developed as time went on. Among the first to move
from Hartford to settle at Middletown, halfway from Hartford
to Saybrook, casting his lot with those who settled " north of the
' riverett/ " we find this son of Elder John White, a leader from the
very first. His education was, no doubt, thorough for the time
and place, but would be considered anything but complete at the
present day. What would he not have given to have had the
advantages that the youth of the present day enjoy? Restricted
122 MIDDLETOWN UPPEE HOUSES
to a few books, no doubt he knew these well, and I do not doubt
that his knowledge of the one great book, the Bible, was far
greater than that of the average youth of to-day. October 15,
1659, sees Nathaniel White, thirty-three years of age, elected as
delegate to the General Assembly which met spring and fall in
Hartford. Wo can see the young man as he journeys toward the
town to the north — for at that day its title of capital was unknown —
coming to that Assembly with an honest pride, because he was
one of the representatives of the young town of Middletown. The
fact that he was not an unknown man at that early day is shown
by his being chosen a member of the grand jury. He must have
done his work as a member of the Assembly well, for, while the
record with characteristic Puritanical severity snows no praise
of work accomplished, continued reappointment shows the confi-
dence of the people of the Middletown Upper Houses. In 1GG9
he was appointed commissioner for Middletown, and in 1674 is
first referred to as " Mr." Nathaniel White. He also had the
title of ensign, and that it was not an empty title is shown by the
fact that in the spring of 1675 he was in command of nine men
from Middletown to guard a ship, sailing to Hartford, from at-
tacks by the Indians. In 1677 he was lieutenant, and in 1690
captain, of the Middletown train band, the only Cromwell in-
habitant of that time to receive the title. A church was organized
in 1668, and Nathaniel White was chosen to assist the minister
in the ordination of the deacons by the ceremony of the laying
on of hands. Unquestionably he was the most distinguished of all
the settlers of Middletown, eighty-five times a member of the Gen-
eral Assembly, the last time in May, 1710, when he was eighty-one
years old. Much of his success in life was due to the careful
training given him by his father who was known as a learned man.
That Captain Nathaniel White appreciated the value of educa-
tion is shown by a clause in his will, dated about two weeks before
his death, as follows: "What of my right of undivided lands,
may be deemed my right: my will is that one fourth part thereof
be and remain for the use of the public schools already agreed
upon in the town of Middletown forever," which included the
"town" school in lower Middletown, and the district school in
the " North Society."
When Cromwell in 1!K)2 erected a central school building that
is a great credit to the town the town meeting very properly
named it after this illustrious man, who spent his home life
almost within Bound of my voice.
The effect of such a life is never ending. Long after he is
forgotten his influence -till goes on, and. no doubt, the boy or
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 123
girl of Cromwell to-day is given a better preparation for the work
of life through the public spirit and foresight of Captain Nathaniel
White.
The Rev. Samuel Johnson, D. D.
Charles Collard Adams, M. A.
A few years after the settlement of the Upper Houses, there
came John Kirby and his wife and John Wilcox and his wife, and
these made their homes on the west side of what is known as
Pleasant Street. Then David Sage came from Hartford, and
was given five acres, " for a home lot," where the bank and other
buildings stand. But he must have had in view the taking of a
wife unto himself, and to be near her home he planted himself
on the town pound, measuring 66 feet by 49£ feet, which stood
between the Kirby and Wilcox homesteads. On this pound, laid
out in 1655 for the impounding of stray cattle, he built him a
house. The town meeting appointed a committee to wait on him.
and demand a settlement. In due time there was recorded to him
these " twelve square rods on which his house standeth." He
then traded his five acres for a part of the Kirby home lot, and had
his holdings extended in the rear, so that when he died, in 1703,
his homestead consisted of 8f acres, valued at £52, the " Mansion "
house being valued at £60, and the barn at £12. His entire pos-
sessions included over 800 acres. His tombstone is in Riverside
Cemetery, Middletown. He married in February, 1664, Elizabeth
Kirby, born September 8, 1646, in Hartford. To them were born
David, Elizabeth, and John. She died " about the 23d year of
her life." He then turned to the other side of his home, and
married Mary Wilcox, to whom were born five children. The
oldest child by the second marriage was Mary Sage, born Novem-
ber 15, 1672, who died May 8, 1727, in Guilford, having married
November 7, 1694, Deacon Samuel Johnson of Guilford, born
June 5, 1670, died 1727, the son of Deacon William Johnson of
Guilford. Of the eleven children of Mary Sage and Deacon
Samuel Johnson, the second son was Samuel Johnson, born Oc-
tober 14, 1696, an dwho died Jan. 6, 1772, and of whom I am to
speak.
It is stated by Dr. Beardsley in his history that Samuel Johnson
studied for six months with the Rev. Joseph Smith, who was the
first settled pastor in the Upper Houses, but who had officiated
here some years before a church was organized on January 6, 1715.
Mr. Smith had graduated at Harvard, had had considerable ex-
perience in teaching, had been pastor in New Jersey, and had
124 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
officiated in the society at Horse Neck, Greenwich. He succeeded
here the Rev. David Deming. Timothy 2 Sage, who had inherited
the Sage homestead across the street from Rev. Joseph Smith
must have had his nephew, Samuel Johnson, in his family, while
the lad recited across the street to Rev. Joseph Smith.
Dr. Beardsley states that Rev. Joseph Smith was not a very
competent teacher. Perhaps the lad was very precocious, for he
entered Yale in 1710, and was graduated in 1714. Dr. Cutler, for
some years pastor at Stratford, had become rector of Yale College.
Johnson, first a tutor, had become the first pastor of the Congre-
gational Church at West Haven, a suburb of New Haven. While
a lad at Guilford, a Mr. Smithson had given him a prayer book
and Johnson must have been a deep student of its pages. On his
death bed he said, " There are no prayers like those of my mother,
the Church of England." Dr. Beardsley states that he committed
these prayers to memory, and used them, as occasion required, in
public worship, alike to the comfort of himself and to the comfort
and edification of his flock. It is related that it was common
for persons belonging to the neighboring parishes to come to
West Haven on purpose to hear him pray, not dreaming that he
was using prayers out of a book. He conferred with his friends,
the neighboring pastors, in the library of Yale College, which
had been removed from Saybrook to New Haven, and where they
had access to some works by Church of England authors. As a
result seven, of whom Rector Cutler, a graduate of Harvard, was
one, were not satisfied with the validity of their non-Episcopal
orders. On September 13. 1722, they addressed a Letter to others
whom they had met in the Library, and who had asked them to
state their difficulties in writing. As a result the General As-
sembly of the Colony, church and state being one, was called to-
gether, Governor Saltonstall, himself a Congregational clergyman,
presiding, and a day was spent in trying to convince these seven
that their doubts were groundless. Rector Cutler, Johnson. Brown,
the tutor and a native of West Haven, and James Wctmore, pas-
tor at North Haven, hut a native of MMdletown, went to England
to receive Episcopal ordination. President Wbolsey, in his His-
torical Discourse at the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the
institution, said: "I suppose that greater alarm would Bcarcely
be awakened now, if the Theological Faculty of the College were
to declare for the Church of Rome, avow their belief in Transub-
stanfiat ion, and pray to the Virjin Mary."
Mr. Brown died of smallpox jusi after his ordination. Rector
Cutler went to Christ Church. Boston, as its rector, and served
them forty years. Mr. WYtmore went to live. Xew York, and was
HISTOEY OF THE SOCIETY 125
there thirty-six years. An Episcopal Mission had been established
in Stratford in 1707, and was supported by the Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. Services, however,
were intermittent for some years. Mr. Johnson arrived there
November 5, 1723. The church edifice had not been completed.
He was there to see the second completed in 1758. During the
years that he served in Stratford, he traveled extensively, baptiz-
ing, administering Holy Communion, preaching, teaching, found-
ing parishes and missions. He led over thirty Congregational
pastors to go to England to be ordained in the Church of England.
He made frequent visits to West Haven, where from his leaving
it there were some families who adhered to the Church of Eng-
land. But it was not until 1740 that a church edifice, the seventh
in Connecticut, was erected there. It stands to-day, the last of
the seven, to witness to the labors of Samuel Johnson. I may
be permitted to say that while I was rector there from 1871 to
1873 I learned so much of Samuel Johnson that I organized a
Guild to raise funds with which to erect a church to be a memorial
to him, and. in the church edifice in which he often officiated, I
plead for this object. My successor for some years was transferred
to St. Paul's, New Haven, and now is the Episcopal Bishop of
Newark, N. J. He is descended from our Deacon Samuel Stock-
ing and our first Thomas Stow. On Tuesday of next week a
costly church will be consecrated in West Haven, and the Bishop
of Connecticut, who sent me an invitation to be present there,
has to-day expressed his approval of my suggestion that the
fund I raised should now be used to place in this costly edifice
a suitable memorial to Samuel Johnson, long known as the " Fa-
ther of Episcopacy in Connecticut." I little dreamed in those
days that Samuel Johnson's mother was born in the Upper
Houses.
In 1729 the Eev. George Berkeley, Dean of Derry in Ireland,
to whom the satirist Pope ascribed "... every virtue under
heaven," arrived in Newport. E. I., with a charter from the crown
to found a college in Bermuda, the " declared object of which
was to be the instruction of scholars in theology and literature,
with a view to propagate the Christian faith and civilization, not
only in parts of America subject to the British authority, but
among the heathen." He purchased a farm, and erected a farm-
house, and proceeded to work out his collegiate plans, at the same
time devoting himself to writing " Alciphon, or The Minute Phi-
losopher." Alas ! the money voted by Parliament was squan-
dered. Eighty thousand pounds of money, rightly belonging to
the church, was squandered. Samuel Johnson, who had read his
126 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
" Principles of Human Knowledge." paid him a visit at Newport.
and the acquaintance ripened into a warm friendship and corre-
spondence, and their sons maintained a correspondence after their
fathers had gone to their graves. When he was returning to Eng-
land in 1732 Samuel Johnson plead for books for Yale library, and
the result was that Dean Berkeley not only gave his own library to
Yale but induced others to join with him in sending nearly a
thousand volumes across the Atlantic, " the finest collection of
books," according to President Clap, " which had then ever been
brought at one time to America." He also gave to Yale his
farm of ninety-six acres, the conditions of the deed being that the
net income shall be appropriated to the maintenance of the three
best scholars in Greek and Latin. Dr. Berkeley wrote that Samuel
Johnson was widely known as the friend and patron of classical
learning, that he watched its progress at Yale College, under the
impetus of Berkeley's donations, that "when Franklin was about
to establish a college at Philadelphia, there was no man whose
counsel he sought more eagerly, or whose authority, as its
future Provost, he was more anxious to secure, than that of
Johnson." He refused this offer, but when prominent New York
gentlemen, mostly of the Church of England, concerted for the
purpose of founding a college in New York City, Samuel John-
son, " who had been all along consulted, and who in turn applied
for advice and direction to his friend. Bishop Berkeley, was cho<en
President in January, 1754." He became, also, an assistant min-
ister of Trinity Church. After a residence of thirty-one years
of rural life, he removed to New York City as president of King's
College, now Columbia University.
When death had removed his wife and children by smallpox which
had a great terror for all, he, in February, 1763, sixteen days after
the death of his wife, was back in Stratford occupying a part
of the great mansion of his son, William Samuel, so distinguished
in the history of Connecticut, expecting, being sixty-seven years
of age, to lead a life of retirement, but he assumed charge of the
parish, and served it till his death on the Feast of the Epiphany,
1772.
It may be a source of pride to those who trace maternal influ-
ences to think that in Samuel Johnson there were forces which
may be credited, in part at least, to Mary Sage, and to the heredity
of Sage and Wilcox, his ancestors of Upper Houses. Columbia
University has among its Columbiana several bricks taken from the
house of Rev. Joseph Smith, which had been built about l(>. r >0
I iv Robert Webster, son of Governor John Webster,
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 127
The Builders of the Nation
Judge Daniel J. Donahoe
The bloom of summer shines upon the world
In changing glory; over field and grove
Floats a soft breathing, and a voice of joy
Eises from hill and valley. Every stream
Mirrors the beauty both of earth and sky,
And, murmurous of music, runneth on
Above the shallows; while against the sun,
Silent and broad, the curving river gleams
Like a great saber, from some giant hand
Cast, 'mid the cloven hills, and flashing lies,
A symbol of eternal power and peace.
But not alone the granite hills that stand
Against the ocean, and the river's flood
Moving in majesty make manifest
The power that guards the nation. On each hand
Our eyes are blessed with marvels that bespeak
Man's greatness, and the sovereignty he bears
O'er nature's forces. Like a willing slave,
The fettered lightning bows unto his needs,
And trained to harmless toil, obeys his will.
The streams that leap in laughter down the hills
Are caught and harnessed to the restless wheels,
That sing in ceaseless industry; while clouds,
Rising above the myriad-windowed mills,
In folds of light, show where the strength of steam
Makes great the cities with the might of toil.
Thus is the power of labor multiplied,
And thus unto the toiler's hand brings home,
As guerdon of his skill, unbounded wealth,
And opportunity wide as the stars;
While peace, with shining footsteps, through the land
Walks, where a thousand farmsteads, rich with meads,
Pastures and fields of tilth, drink in the rays
Of the new morn, that rises with the light
Of prophecy, and promises to all
A golden harvest.
128 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Pound each village spire,
That, pointing starward, speaks eternal truths,
Cluster a group of cottages, with lawns
Wide to the street. These are the glad abodes
Of labor, culture, love, and liberty.
Here nought of evil on the surface shows,
Nor cloud of sorrow darkens; but where'er
The gazer turns, such happiness as blessed
The primal Eden seems to fill the land.
Long on these grateful scenes we turn our eyes,
Drinking unto our souls dreams of delight ;
And backward glancing, lift our heads aloft
With a proud meaning; for we see how broad
Have been the strides of progress, since the bell
From Independence Hall startled the world.
And thrilled the people with new life and hope.
Nor shall the present and the past, suffice;
But down the shining slope of future years,
We peer with souls high-swelling, and descry
The vision of the wonders yet to be.
But let nor pride nor hope our souls deceive,
And soothe us with a false security;
Nay, let us pause amid our sunny dreams,
And pierce with searching eye the golden veil
That covers o'er with splendor all the land.
Yet hides, perchance, some foul or evil blight,
That worketh waste or woe. Sharp scrutiny
Must needs be made of license and of law
By men who love their country and would keep
Eer strength and honor safe. This wisdom wills;
Lest all too confident, in strength assured,
Our souls become elate, and filled with pride
Of past achievements, both in peace and war.
Of foolish dreams of greatness, that may well
Betray us, while corruption threatens death.
Neither by day nor night may rest be ours;
But care and watching shall our duty be;
For we are toilers still. Our work remains
All unaccomplished, while a flaw abides,
Or chance 01 danger. Perfect governmenl
In town and Btate and nation, this musl be
')ur dear ambition.
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 129
And though hero souls
Are ours, and ours the age of heroes, God
Demands our best of labor. Serious thought,
Not overweening boasts, will satisfy
The everlasting Justice. Bowed in soul.
True servants, we must look for Heaven's behest;
And with the light that shineth from the Throne,
Bend to achieve the glory of His will.
Nor may we our stern duty minimize;
As men of might, within our hand is placed
A sacred charge requiring holiest care,
A trust that brooks no faltering in faith,
We are the nation's builders. If we strive
With heart and hand and brain to raise the walls
And glorify the temple, we but yield
To conscience, that with unrelenting voice
Guides us to justice; and the house we build
Must be the house of justice. Light and law
Shall shine within its portals. Let it be
A palace worthy of the Lord, whose love
Smiles on no worthless effort. And unless
He build with us our labor is but vain;
And our achievements, howsoever brave,
Are like the splendors of a sunset cloud;
And howsoever high the house we build,
And bright with grandeur, 'tis a Babel Tower,
A monument of folly and of shame.
But where shall we find justice? Who shall guide
Our footsteps lest we stumble in the dark?
Masked in the garb of wisdom, clanger walks,
Lighting false beacons, that may lead to death,
While boasting of supremacy and power.
Let us beware. This increase manifold
Of labor's gain from nature's mastered powers, —
Where shall it go ? Shall men, who worship wealth,
Make for themselves a privilege, and hold
The ninety parts and nine, while labor's host,
The mighty army that has made the wealth,
Takes but the single unit as its wage?
Shall the rich revel in wild luxury,
While, as in France of old, the poor attempt
To quell their hunger with the grass, like beasts?
130 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
If men are thus oppressed, what power can save
The nation from disgrace? No wrong can live,
But ruin, soon or late, avenging comes
To blaze a road for justice. Then, beware!
Not for the money-changer is the house
Of honor builded, but for men whose souls
Look heavenward and seek the things of God.
Yet in our temple we behold, even now,
The holy place proclaimed as Mammon's throne;
The worshipers of wealth its walls profane,
And on its altars raise a golden calf.
Scorning the broader Brotherhood of Christ.
And swollen with privilege, in robes of gold,
The priest of Mammon lifts his impious face,
And sends his proud voice echoing through the skies.
THE HYMN OF TRIVILEGE
God of the golden horn,
Bright in thy golden rays;
God from whose hand is born
All that our lives adorn, —
God of the golden horn,
Thee we adore and praise.
Thou that art proud and great,
Honor the great and proud ;
Lift up our souls elate;
Keep us to rule the state!
Thou that art proud and great.
Bear us; our heads are bowed.
Puler of wealth and ease,
Keep us in ease and wealth ;
Poverty, toil, disease; —
Save us from ills like these;
Ruler of wealth and ease,
Bless us with peace and health.
God of the golden horn.
Thee we adore and praise ;
Safe on thy strength up-borne,
Lead us from need and scorn;
God of the golden horn.
Guide us through golden days.
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 131
Nor comes less danger from the wretch, whose fare
Is with the beast. The innocent toiler, stung
By hunger's fangs, may grow more ravenous
Than tiger in the jungle. In his soul
The wrong may rankle, and break forth in fire
Whose flame shall scorch the heavens. When the cry
Rose from the rabid masses in the streets
Of Paris, reason slept; and nought could save
The crown of privilege from the guillotine.
How shall injustice thrive more safely here,
And walk with steps impune upon the neck
Of prostrate industry? Beware! the hour
Of reckoning comes and danger's signal flies !
Have ye not heard the shout of wild despair
That rises from the slums? Your hand can save
Only by lifting up with tenderness,
And weighing in the balances of Right
The portion due to labor.
All too long
Justice has been delayed. The dens of crime,
Where day is turned to night, and sin becomes
The stay of hunger, threaten to destroy
The glory of your building. If unmoved
By reason and pure justice, let your fear
Arouse your souls to honor. Moloch's sons,
A hideous host, are in your temple now,
And loud in adoration. Hear their hymn!
THE HYMN OF THE DESTROYERS
Hear us, God of Shame,
Moloch ! we call thy name,
And seek thy evil service, power divine !
To thee we bend the knee;
We look for help to thee;
Crushed in the mire of sin, our souls are thine.
Thou baneful deity,
We sacrifice to thee
Our children; soul and body they are thine!
Through long and weary years,
Through misery and tears,
They bow beneath thy influence unbenign.
132 MIDDLETOWN UPPEE HOUSES
What boots it, loathsome God.
To feel the cruel rod,
Unless we gain the pleasures that we seek?
'.Mill drudgery and grime
We find our good in crime,
With flinty hearts and bloody hands that reek.
Not out of gilded palaces shall come
Abiding righteousness ; nor shall we seek
An uplift from the rotting tenements.
These are alike sure tokens of disease.
That warn the nation of impending death.
Not out of these our dreams of grandeur come;
But from the farmsteads and the toilers' homes,
Scattered like new-blown roses o'er the hills,
And through the sounding valleys, where the streams
Roar through their channels, loud with cheerful toil.
Out of such homes may wisdom hear the voice
Of freedom chanting hymns of sacred peace;
Out of such homes alone the call shall lead
To honor's court, where even-handed right
Demands that crime, in hovel or in hall,
Shall suffer equal shame. The hour requires
Strong men, brave men of wisdom and of will
To break the sleep of justice. Let her rise,
And render unto every man his due.
Both interest and wages, while the land,
With all the unbought gifts of bounteous heaven,
Shall bear the nation's burden.
This must come;
For only by its coming may we hope
To build aright our temple's holy walls
And rear its hallowed altars; only thus
The law of love shall fill its ample Bpace
With such effulgence as can never pale.
Then labor shall uplift a thousand homes,
True shrines of godliness and Liberty,
Where now the castle of the millionaire
Usurps with gorgeous insolence the land.
And holds wide acres ID dead idlein
Out of the slums pale children shall he brongW
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 133
To rise and run in new-found life and joy,
To play like the young lambs among the fields,
And sing like birds under the blue of heaven.
The haunts of pestilence and poverty,
Where beggared merit oft in hunger weeps,
With dens of degradation, sin and death,
Like the rich robber's hold, shall be brought low,
And the pure winds of heaven shall breathe thereon.
The city streets and the wide country side
Shall sweeten like flower-gardens in God's air;
And men shall lift their faces to the stars,
Unscathed by wrong, guiltless of infamy.
Then shall our hearts be lifted up to heaven
When we behold the bloom upon the hills;
And to the voice of gladness from the vales
Our souls shall swell in answer. Evermore,
The river in its silent course shall gleam,
Like a great saber, flashing to the skies,
A symbol of eternal power and peace.
Then from the earth shall rise, in thunder-tones,
The blessings of the ransomed multitudes,
Forever swell along the echoing skies.
The song of neither arrogance nor shame,
But a true hymn of glory unto God,
From souls strong with' the brotherhood of love.
HYMN OF THE PEOPLE
God of life and love and light,
We send our voice in song to thee;
Thy hand hath led us through the night,
Thy power hath raised and made us free.
Be still our guide, our strength, our stay ;
Blest be thy name from shore to shore,
To thee we turn both night and day,
From humbled hearts thy grace implore.
Let justice, truth and love abound;
Keep us as brothers, hand in hand;
Be neither fear nor falsehood found,
Nor greed nor hunger mar the land.
134 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
A ransomed nation, strong and free.
Let grateful love our aims upraise;
God of our fathers, unto thee
We send our songs in holy praise.
Some Early Cromwell Preach i bs
The Rev. Percy Butler Wightman
Mr. Chairman, Fathers and Brothers: I feel to-day somewhat
like a young man who had been recently married. It seems
that after the ceremony a wedding breakfast or luncheon was
served. Then followed a series of addresses congratulatory in
character, until finally the groom was called upon to make some
fitting response. Not given to public address the task was ardu-
ous, and he shrank from the ordeal, but they called the more
loudly for him. Finally he rose to his feet, and, placing his
hand upon the shoulder of his bride to steady himself, he said :
" Ladies and gentlemen, this thing has been forced upon me."
And my address has been forced upon me. I do not mean
to convey the idea that Mr. C. Collard Adams, whose enthusiasm
and ceaseless interest in the old families of Cromwell have made
this gathering here possible, has persistently clamored for an
address, for he has not; but when the invitation came, having
had experience " to get men to speak in meeting," and knowing
what a task it was, I had compassion, and decided to help in
any way he should command. And yet I can think of another.
There is a reason why I should speak to you to-day. From the
early days men whose names I and my brothers bear, have been
identified with this village, and with the two churches longest
established. You have a right to claim my presence, and I am
honored by your courteous invitation which gives me this op-
portunity of speech.
No apology is necessary for the subject, " Some Early Cromwell
Preachers," and right pleased will I be if I simply stir up your
interest enough to wish to learn more about them in the history
now in the hands of the Crafton Press.
Some little while ago, I was reading again the warrant for
the death of Edward Wightman — the last of the English martyrs
burned at the stake for his religious belief. I suspect thai
the real reason why he was called "a pestilential fellow" lay
in the fact that he did not believe in infant baptism, hut to justify
his death King James and •• the reverend father in Cod. Richard,
Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield," accused him of "the wicked
heresis of the Bbionites, Cerinthians, Valintinians, Arriane,
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 135
Macedonians, of Simon Magus, of Manes, Manechees, of Prolinus,
and Ana-Baptists, and of other heritical, execrable, and unheard
of opinions, by the instinct of Satan, by him excogitated." And
it seems strange to me that it was necessary to touch a torch to
his stake, for surely anyone who had all these dry theories in him
would ignite by spontaneous combustion. But the early preachers
in the pulpits of this village were not dry men. In them burned
the fire of a holy zeal for their work, and it is right that the
pastors should be honored with the Founders, Fathers, and Pa-
triots. For whether they stayed in the village for a long or short
time the spirit was the same. They had a message. It 'had
gripped them, and they tried to so present it that it would take
hold of the lives and mold the characters of the men and women
to whom they ministered, and their labor was not in vain.
Our nation owes much of its strength to the men who built
the religious and intellectual foundation of the country. It was
a time when the Indian trail was cut wider to allow the two-
wheeled ox cart and chaise room to run, and it was a time, too,
when men in breathing the freedom of the colonies began to
exert individual liberty. Were I looking for a text, which is
the way of a preacher you know, how many would be suggested
by their lives ! " Go forward and possess the land," " Carry
neither purse nor script," " Their works do follow them," " I
determined to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ and
him crucified."
But one regret I must express early in my address, namely, the
inability to give place to the majority of ministers who have
broken the bread of life to this generation and ones preceding.
If I fail to mention them, it is not because of unworthiness, nor
that their lives were a cipher, neither is it that they did not go in and
out of the homes with a prayer and purpose in their hearts; but
simply for the reason that time is short, and, as another has writ-
ten of him for whom he gave his life, " I suppose that even the
world itself could not contain the books that should be written."
We will give our attention chiefly to four men, the first and
second pastors to serve the Congregational Church, the Rev. Joseph
Smith and the Rev. Edward Eells; and noticing two pastors
in the Baptist Church — the Rev. Frederick Wightman and Rev.
Charles W. Potter. I have chosen not to speak of the Methodist
Episcopal Church for various reasons: first, because of its youth,
having come into being in the wake of the revival of '57 ; second,
while consecrated men have served it, yet they have not been in
residence long enough to leave an impression upon the village;
and third, material is lacking upon which to base the treatment.
13fi MIDDLETOWX LITER HOUSES
We will first think about Rev. Joseph Smith. You all know
that the settlers here attended the First Congregational Church
of Middletown for over fifty yeers, leaving home early to return late
on the Sabbath days. They walked or rode to service, taking
their lunch with them, and eating it in the " Sabba' Houses,"
built near the church for the purpose of warming up the outer
and inner man, after the cold ride or the chill of the church.
After attending church in Middletown for half a century, by
and by the community grew strong and ambitious enough to wish
a church of its own, and a new parish, known as the Second
Ecclesiastical Society of Middletown was incorporated, in May.
1704, on condition that the people settle a. minister within six
to twelve months, and build a meeting house. The population
was about 250 including East Berlin. Eleven years afterward
the church was organized with 23 members, and Rev. Mr. Smith
who had officiated for a few years was called to the pastorate. He
was a Massachusetts man, and came when about forty years old.
He was called from a new church enterprise at Horse Neck,
where he had gone after years spent in teaching. The people
moved him at their expense and later built his house " provided
he would pay for the glass and nails used in its construction."
They gave him seventy pounds, annually, and his firewood as a
salary. When you read what our historian has to say about
firewood, you will come to the same conclusion I have reached :
that it was the " bete noire " of his life. Sometimes it was de-
livered, sometimes he had to get it, and sometimes there was
none cut for him to get. Then a sum was allowed to buy it, and
occasionally this was not paid. The kind of cord which ran
through his days was not silken but wooden, and he had more
trouble, • and the deacons passed more motions on the parson's
firewood, than on the treatment of the " disorderly youth who were
brought into the church, and had to stand at the foot of the gal-
lery stairs until the service was over."
But, as a preacher, he did his work well as far as our knowl-
edge goes. I give not people credil for greater patience then
than now, and surely no man would be allowed peacefully to
hold his charge for twenty-one years, unless his pulpil ministra-
tions were satisfactory. Ee organized, developed, and welded
into a church people who had been listening for years to candi-
dates^ — which usuallj means black disaster. One who can do
thai thing shows ability, and thai the church stands with him.
It seems strange thai no regrets were expressed at his death, but
on the other band we are to remember that the Puritans sup-
pressed outward signs of emotion. "There is up doubt thai they
HISTOKY OF THE SOCIETY 137
loved their wives and their children," wrote an observant historian,
" but they did not seem to dare to tell their wives and children
that they loved them. They suppressed the utterances of love
which beat so warmly in their breasts. Silence was golden, and
speech silver or a baser metal. Longfellow understood their ret-
icence, and brings it out in his " Courtship of Miles Standish,"
when impatient Priscilla says, " Speak for yourself, John."
The second incumbent was the Kev. Edward Eells. He sprang
from Samuel, one of the first settlers at Milford, who later moved
into Massachusetts. Edward was his great-grandson. They were
godly men, of sterling stock, and placed a high value on college
training, for one generation after another went up to Harvard.
Since Nathaniel, the son of Samuel. I believe that there has not
been a time when someone by the name of Eells has not been
active in the Christian ministry, and several have attained marked
distinction as preachers.
As the Scotch say, Edward " was a man of many parts," a gifted
preacher, a loyal patriot, a theologian, and a foremost citizen.
The early record of this village could not be written without
mentioning him. He was a chaplain in the French and Indian
War, and so fired his children with patriotism that his son,
Major Eells, " started for the war the day after word came from
Lexington, and remained in the service until June, 1783, and be-
came one of the founders of the Society of Cincinnati." And
his son Samuel, pastor at Branford, one Sunday morning raised
a company in his own congregation, was chosen captain, and en-
tered the war. It was the same love of country, but shown a little
differently, when Parson Wetmore of Stratford, hearing of the
surrender of Lord Cornwallis as he was delivering his discourse,
straightening himself to his full height, and making known
his intelligence, said. " It is no place for boisterous demonstra-
tion in the house of God, but we will, in giving three cheers,
only go through the motions."
And, as a theologian, he too'k a leading part in the controversy
at Wallingford, between what was properly known as the " New
Lights and the Old Lights," which stirred the church world of
New England to its center. In this controversy he was clerk of
council.
This was an age through New England of formal church life.
If a person outwardly conformed he was judged a worthy church
member, but I am of the impression that Mr. Eells himself, hav-
ing the heart of religion in him, was not satisfied until those for
whose spiritual welfare he was responsible had the essence of
the Gospel, too. He honored Upper Houses in coming here, and
138 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Upper Houses has blessed the country by giving it a family
whose lives have been righteous, whose deeds were noble, the force
of whose character has helped to establish religion, patriotism,
and intelligence through our wide land.
But I must hurry on. And turn with some diffidence to Fred-
erick Wightman, the first of the pastors of the Cromwell Baptist
Church, whose ministry extended over a decade.
Sixteen persons organized the church fifteen years before his
coming, and until 1817 pastors were secured on part time. In
that year Mr. Wightman became minister.
He was born in Warwick, P. I., and, like most New Englanders,
religious persecution drove his father to these shores. The family
was strongly Baptist, as far back as 1611 at least. Like the Eells
family the descendants of Edward Wightman have filled more
than a score of pulpits in this land. He was a carpenter, and
followed his trade until his twenty-third year, when he had a
definite religious experience, and his conversion took place. Then
a strong impression was laid on him that the gift of " Christ
was not only for my safety and happiness, but His service and
glory." This heavenly vision led his steps toward the ministry,
but for eighteen months thereafter he " wrought and preached."
and when the irfvitation came from the Baptist Church of Ash-
ford, he accepted, beginning his pastorate in 1806.
After eleven years of successful labor, he moved to this village,
staying his first night in Major Eells's old home, known even then
as " the Minister's Tavern." After fifteen years' service as pas-
tor of the Second Baptist Church of Middletown, he moved to
East Lyme, but returned in two years, on the earnest invitation
of the Cromwell church, for two years more of service. Later
he was in the Baptist churches of liaddam, three years ; Wethers-
field, one year; East Lyme (now Niantic), three years, and
then returned to pass the last days of his life among his friends
here, after forty years of preaching.
He was a God-called man, believed with all his heart in conver-
sion as essential to salvation, and this lie preached with all the
fervor of his strong nature. No one was more acceptable as a
speaker in the Hartford, New Haven, and New London Associa-
tions, with which he was by turns connected. At the birth of
missionary activity in 1821-3, he was among the foremost in edu-
cating the churches, and soliciting their prayers and contributions
for Dr. Judson and Ins co-laborers in Burmah, and few had an
acquaintance equal to his of domestic missions, lie was a char-
ter member, and one of the most active in the organization of
"the State Convention of Baptist churches" in 1823; and, with
Deacon William Etanney, introduced this church into the Hart-
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 139
ford Association. Wrote the editor of the Christian Secretary,
" In every ecclesiastical relation, Mr. Wightman bore a conspic-
uous and leading part." His records show that he preached
over seven thousand sermons, immersed upward of four hundred
willing converts, administered the Lord's Supper over five hun-
dred times, officiated at about three hundred funerals and as many
marriages, and by special requests because of his gifts as a preacher,
attended over twenty-one ordinations, and preached the sermon
at the majority of them.
His last days were spent here. Though he suffered greatly
near the end, his faith never faltered. Writing near the end, he
said in a letter to his son : " After seventy-seven years in life,
and fifty-five in connection with the Baptist Church. I have noth-
ing to boast of, saving the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by
which I hope that I am crucified to the world and the world to
me." Then, October 5, 1856, he was gathered to his fathers
as a ripe sheaf of corn.
The fourth subject of my sketch is the Eev. Charles W. Pot-
ter. He is a recent man, and because he is known to some, I will
not give him the space which he undoubtedly deserves.
His pastorate extended for three and one-half years, but those
years were full, coming here in the spring of 1852. He was
a strong preacher, and man of affairs — a blending, if some peo-
ple's word can be taken, which is too frequently noticeable by its
absence among clergymen as a class. He succeeded Rev. Mr.
Hervey as pastor, filling the pulpit, I believe, the Sunday after
his predecessor left, and, as soon as he could study the field, he
recognized the great need of a new meeting house. In eight
months $1900 was subscribed, and a building committee ap-
pointed, " who were to take the entire responsibility upon
themselves."
They sought a site for some time, and talked of the lot between
the stores of Elisha Stocking and Ralph Savage, and also of an-
other on which " John Haskel's old house now stands."
A little later the project gained deeper hold, and about $2100
was subscribed, when " Elder Potter purchased the Thomas
Stow house and lot from Mr. Colton for $1600, and the church
was erected upon it." It was largely through his efforts that this
church stands here to-day. He resigned his charge in 1855, and
many regretted his going. This church was full Sabbath after
Sabbath. So pronounced were his preaching ability and knowledge
of affairs, that he stands out in the memory of some of the older
members, though a dozen licentiates and ministers have come and
gone since his day. I think that it was through sorrow at losing
him that Rev. Mr. Wightman, in a letter announcing the resigna-
140 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
tion of Mr. Potter, wrote, " May God give this church a man
after his own heart, who shall be full of the Gospel of Christ."
Mr. Potter served other churches in Connecticut for nearly fifty
years, and was long a director of Conn. Baptist State Convention.
Dr. Francis Wayland once said of him, " Since the death of Dr.
Palmer of Stonington, Mr. Potter is the man upon whose wisdom
and direction we rely in our management of the affairs of the feeble
Churches of the State." Mr. Potter died in Litchfield, Aug. 1903,
and is buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery at Hartford, where a very
fine Scotch monument erected by friends marks his burial place.
As one takes a broad view over two centuries of church life, two
things are marked here as in all Xew England : first is the divine
authority of the Holy Bible, and second is the right of personal
liberty in the sight of God.
To our fathers the Bible was a message of Almighty God. They
accepted it without compromise. It was the one book found in
their dwellings. They read it at their firesides, they talked about
it to their children and neighbors, and they were permeated with
its historic facts. They even gave their children the names of its
heroes and characters, and the truth it contained found expression
in education and politics. It was the reading book of the child
learning his letters, " the lamp to the feet " of the adult, and the
hope of the aged, physically tottering, but stalwart in faith, in
the even time of their lives.
And personal liberty matched their love for the Word of God.
God most high was the only Lord of the conscience. Home and
friendships were given up at the call of freedom, and life itself
was not too valuable a possession with which to purchase liberty.
They lacked sometimes in charity. They were not always
catholic in spirit, but neither are we. Said another, "We do
not burn and stone one another, it is true, and yet our words are
Bometimes as hot as a flame, and as rough as brick bats."
On Plymouth Pock, in the commonwealth of Massachusetts, a
splendid nionmnent was dedicated about twenty years ago. Upon
a granite pedestal there rises a sculptured figure, representing
faith. In her left hand is an open Bible. The right points up-
ward to the divine source of all true inspiration. At her feet
are statues representing Education, Law. Morality, and Freedom.
It is an elegant tribute to the Pilgrims, and a suggestive lesson
to their children. And the men whose lives were given to the
churches of this place have used the endowments that this com-
munity be educated, thai it respect law, that il practice morality
and enjoy liberty.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNET
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY
FIEST GENEEATION
The second volume of Scottish Arms names the Eany and
Eenny families. Herbert Eainie sat in Parliament for Dumfries
in 1572. Eobert Eayning was provost in 1578. Symon Eenny
was bailie of Inverkeithing in 1362. In 1450 Eanys and Eennys
were owners of land in Forfarshire. Sir John Eany of England
is named in 1660. The name is given in various forms in France
and Flanders at a very early date.
1. The first known of our Thomas Eany is in the land records
of Middletown, a house lot having been granted to him in 1658.
His marriage is recorded as in May, 1659, to Mary Hubbard. At
this date George Grave returned to Hartford and his grants
were transferred to Thomas Eany, the record being dated in 1663.
In 1698 Alexander Eollo, a Scotchman, and an attorney who had
married a daughter of John Kirby, wrote and witnessed a will
wherein " Thomas Eheny " gave to his son Ebenezer a parcel of
land. This spelling does not occur in a deed dated a day later where-
in the father gave adjoining land to a brother of Ebenezer. The con-
clusion is that Alexander Eollo is responsible for the form in which
he wrote the name. In Scottish records Eheny is a familiar name.
The conclusion is that Thomas Eany came from Scotland. On his
tombstone the name is Eanny, and about this date, 1713, his sons
wrote their name as Eany and soon after as Eanny. The repro-
duction of their autographs is given herewith. The deed of 1698
is in the possession of Mrs. Charles Collard Adams. While the
public records give the birth of only five children, and the church
records give the baptism of Marcy, the will gives the names of
the ten children who survived him. While the public record says
he died June 25, 1713, the gravestone says he died June 21, 1713.
He is supposed to have been the first one buried here, as it was only
in January preceding it was voted to set apart land for a cemetery.
His signature to deeds in his later years was attested by a -f-
and it may be that he was as unfortunate in one respect as were
others of his day and generation. He was not a member of the
church. He served equally with others on various town commit-
tees and was an active member of the community. In the census
of 1670 when the inhabitants were rated he was rated at £105, the
ninth in a list of 52 proprietors.
143
144 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Mary Hubbard, his wife, was born in Hartford, Jan. 16, 1G41-2,
the eldest child of George Hubbard and Elizabeth Watts. She
d. Dec. 18, 1721, and is without a gravestone. In his will dated
May 2, 1681, George Hubbard, aged 80, said, " I give to my daugh-
ter Mary Rany fourty shillings out of my Estate, but on further
consideration instead of that fourty shillings I give my sayd daugh-
ter the on halfe of my half e Mille Lott on the East side the Great
River by the List of 1673." His homestead in Middletown was
on Main Street extending south from what is Rapello Avenue and
HE.REES
SE/VR-U<feMs>7
XEARS-DfEBJUNQ
reaching back to the Connecticut River. Thomas Allen's home-
stead lay between Hubbard's and Riverside Cemetery.
Will of Thomas 1 Ranxky
In the Name of God, Amen, the Sixth day of March in the
year of our Lord 1711. I, Thomas Ranny of Middletown in the
County of Hartford in New England, Husbandman, being very
sick and weak in body, but of competent understanding and mem-
ory, thanks be given to God, therefore calling to mind the mor-
tality of my body, and knowing that it is appointed for men once
to dye, Do make, and ordain this my last will and testament, that
is to say, principally and first of all I give and recommend my
soul into tin' hands^of God y gave it, hopeing through the Merits,
death and pas-ion of my Saviour Jesus Christ to have full and
free pardon and forgiveness of all my sins, and to inherit everlast-
ing life. And my body I commit to ye earth, to be decently buried
at the discretion of my executors hereafter named, nothing doubt-
ing but at ye Generall resurrection I shall receive the same again
by the mighty power of God, And, as touching such worldly estate
wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give,
demise and dispose of the same in the following manner, and form,
DESCENDANTS OP THOMAS RANNEY 145
that is to say, First I will that all those debts and dutyes as I do
owe in right or Conscience to any manner of person or persons
whatsoever shall be well and truely contented and paid, or or-
dained to be paid in convenient time after my decease, by my
Executors hereafter named.
Item. I give and bequeath to my dear wife, Mary, during her
naturall life the free use and improvement of that half of my
dwelling house wherein we now live, with the seller belonging to
it, and ye one half of my homelott, and half of my old barn with
the new end thereof, to-gether with my whole upper lott in the
long meadow both plowing land and grass land, with two acres
on ye near neck, the use of a teem with a yoke of oxen and a
horse, and necessary instruments belonging to it, and so much
bedding and household stuff as she shall need for her own per-
yonall comfort and benefit, and likewise she shall have the whole
despose of that land which her Father Hubbard gave her, and I
do ordain and appoint my son Thomas to take care of his Mother
after my decease and to see that what I have wild to her for
her comfortable maintenance be improved to that end.
Item. I give to my son Thomas, the lott on which his house
stands as it is now divided, and one acre and half of my lott in Won-
gung Meadow, and a quarter part of Butt Swamp lott, also the whole
of ye upper long meadow lott after his mothers decease also I
give to him one acre of my boggy meadow swamp lott the half of
my timber hill lott ye south side, & a quarter part within fifteen
acres of the plain lott or Cold Spring, haveing his part divided to
him by quantity and quality, also a quarter part of my long lott
on the east side of ye great Eiver, also I give to my son Thomas
a quarter part of the undivided land y is yet in the town, also I
give to Thomas a quarter part of the round meadow and further
neck after my daughter Savages three acres of upland lying next
ye meadow be taken out, also a quarter part of the half of that lott
near Wongung bars, or Indian Hill, the west part of the lott with
the swamp adjoining to it, this lott begins from the Highway east-
ward against Jonathan Warners. It is my will that this lott be
splitt into, and the east part of it butting upon the highway agairvst
Jonathan Warners I do reserve for myself, to dispose of as I please,
the other half of the lott, viz, the west part of it with the fiwamp
adjoyning to it it is my will that it shall be equally divided betwixt
my four sons, Thomas, John, Joseph and Ebenezer.
Item. I give to my son John, that lott whereon his houp;e stands,
with one acre of my boggy meadow lot, also the just half of what
is left of my Wongung meadow after Thomas has his owrf acre and
half taken out and the fourth part of my lott in the plain to be
146 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
divided to him by quantity and quality, also a quarter part of my
long lott on the east side of the great river, also a quarter part
of butt swamp lott, this I gave to him formerly by a deed of gift,
also eight acres of my timber hill lott, and something better, this
also he had formerly by a deed of gift, also a third part of my
lower long meadow lott both plowing and grass land and swamp
after my son Ebenezers three acres be taken out which he has
now under improvement, this I will to him to take in possession
after my decease, also a quarter part of the further neck, and
round meadow, after the three acres of upland which I give to my
daughter Mary Savage be taken out, also a quarter part of the
undivided land in the town equall with his brethren, also a quarter
part of the half of that lott near Wongung bars, or Indian Hill
butting upon the highway east over against my son Jonathan War-
ners, the west part of the said lott, which lott I have split into,
reserving the east part of it for myself, with the swamp adjoyn-
ing to the west part equall with Thomas.
Item. I give to my son Joseph that lott whereon his house stands,
and one acre of my boggy meadow, with the just half of my Won-
gung meadow after Thomas has his one acre and half taken out,
also the fourth part and fifteen acres of my plain lott, the fifteen
acres to be taken out of Thomas part in consideration of Thomas
being made better y he, at timber hill, also to be divided to him
by quantity and quality as ye rest of his brethren have, also a
quarter part of my Long lott on the east side of the great river
also a quarter part of the west part of my lott near Wongung bars
equall with Thomas and John as before mentioned, with the
swamp adjoyning to it, also a third part of my lower long meadow
lott both plowing and grass land and swamp, after Ebenezer has
his three acres taken out this I also will that he shall have in
possession after my decease, also a quarter part of further neck
and round meadow after the three acres of upland which I give
to my daughter Mary Savage be taken out, also a quarter part
of butt swamp lott, also a quarter part of the undivided land in
the town.
Item. I give to my son Ebenezer the half of my dwelling house,
tead and old barn, and it is m\ will that my said son Eben-
ezer >)\-a\\ have (he other half of my dwelling house, barn & home-
stead a fter his mothers decease provided he do pay to Mary Savage,
Elizabeth Warner, ami Easter Savage five pounds apease in pay,
also thai he shall give to Hannah, Margarel and Abigail so much
of his pa "t of Cold Spring lott as shall amounl to or produce
fifteen pound in pay. ami if he shall refuse ami neglect to pay his
first mentioned, viz. Mary Savage, Elizabeth Warner
ami Easter S ivage their Legacy fifteen pound he shall then resign
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 14?
up two acres in the near neck, but if he pays them their due ac-
cording to my will he shall enjoy the same after my and my wifes
decease when he shall take possession of the whole of the home-
stead with all the buildings upon it, also I give to him one acre of
the boggy meadow, and the fourth part of the plain lott to be
divided to him according to quantity and quality, also a quarter
part of the west part of my lott near Wongung bars or Indian
Hill as before mentioned, equal with Thomas, John and Joseph,
with the swamp adjoyning to the west part, the east part of ye
said lott butting upon the highway against my son Jonathan
Warner I have reserved for myself, also a quarter part of my long
lott on the east side of the great river, also a quarter part of
further neck and round meadow after the three acres I have given
to my daughter Mary Savage be taken out, also a quarter part of
butt swamp lott, also a quarter part of the undivided land, also I
give to my son Ebenezer three acres or thereabouts which he
now improves of my lower long meadow lott, both plowing land
and grass land and swamp.
Item. I give to my Son and daughter John and Mary Savage
besides wt they have had formerly given to them in land by a deed
of gift, and household stuff, I do now give them and tr heirs forever
three acres of my land on the farther neck against ye lott in the
round meadow so as may be convenient for them to come to tr
meadow land running up to the highway also five pound in pay, to
be paid to ym by my son Ebenezer.
Item. I give to my son and daughter Jonathan and Elizabeth
Warner besides what they have had given to them formerly in land
by a deed of gift and household stuff, it is my will that they
have given. to the other viz: Mary & Easter, five pounds in pay, to
be paid to them by my son Ebenezer.
Item. I give to my son and daughter Nathaniell and Easter
Savage besides what they have already received formerly in land
by a deed of gift and household stuff, it is my will that they
shall have their five pound as ye rest have which Ebenezer is to
pay, and also I do give to ym and to yr heirs forever the half
of my half mile lott.
Item. I give to Hannah, Margarett and Abygail, five pound
apeice in current pay which my son Ebenezer is to pay unto them
out of his part in the plain lott in Consideration of his having
the whole of the homestead also I do give to them what remaines
of my boggy meadow that I have not given to yr brothers, what
remaines be it more or less to be equally divided amongst them
after my decease also two acres in the east side of the near neck
next to a highway to be equally divided amongst them after my
decease, Also it is my will that what remaines of the household
148 MIDDLETOWN" UPPER HOUSES
stuff besides what yr mother needs for her own personall use
and benefit, shall be equally divided amongst them, also two
cowes, three mares and all the sheep to be equally divided betwixt
them, divideing of them as they see cause, also the team with two
oxen, one horse together with all the husbandry tools and what
bedding and household stuff shall be left after yr mothers decease
shall be equally divided amongst my three daughters Hannah,
Margarett and Abygail, also I give unto Hannah, Margarett and
Abygail the just half of my half mile lott, the upper part of it
next to ye short lotts.
Item. I give to my grandson Willett Ranney the remaining part
of timber hill lott which consists of eight acres or thereabouts,
four acres of ye plowing land he may now take possession of, the
other four acres of pasture he shall have ye possession and im-
provement of after myne and my wifes decease.
Item. I give to my grandson Thomas Savage my lott in the dead
swamp.
Lastly I do nominate and appoint my son Thomas, John, and
Joseph to be executors of this my will and testament, to take
that it be duly executed according to the true intent and meaning
of ye same, also I do nominate and appoint Mr. David Deming,
and my son John Savage as overseers of this my last will and testa-
ment to see yt the Executors do fully execute this my will and
testament and yt according to ye true intent and meaning of it.
And I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and disanull all and
every other former testaments, wills and legacyes, bequests and
Executors by me in any waves before this time named, willed and
bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my
last will and testament.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
my seal this eighth day of March in the year of our Lord one
thousand seven hundred and eleven, being the tenth year of the
reign of our Soveraign Lady Ann by the Grace of God, Queen of
Great Britain, France and Ireland, defender of ye faith &c.
his
THOMAS x RANNY (seal)
mark
Signed, sealed published pronounced
and declared by me Thomas Ranny as my last
Will and testament in the presence of us
ve subscribers, viz :
Natl,: White Scni r
Sam 11 frary
Timothy Sage
It Cost but Two Shillings to l)r<; the Gbave of Thomas 1 Kanney
(See page 144)
■.^.-^wjawa
« "■ ■ ■ . v 9 , « (J gi
f»*tmiM4+£./h+ >< .'7 ,0
7' v , / '" // '"^ «•
— . ■ • .■ ■■'■-al--<-
•I' ■
A Leaf from Capt. John Warner's Account with Ebenezer- ]1a\\m
(See page 1G0)
(ait. Daniel Ranney Paid Eight Siiimim.s fob
mi; Grave of York, \ Slavi (See page 170)
i
«-*.
...
• ■
. .
nyfSitioih. - * ' 0*
■' , - . T • <J
f^ • S *£
»M * I U
a i.i.Ai- ii;n\i Captain Johk Warner's Account
uiiii Km \ i /i c Sagi
(S< i
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY
149
An inventory of the estate of Thomas Eany late of Mideltown
deceased, taken July 27: 1713 by us prisers John Sage Samuell
f rary and John Warner.
To his waring aparel,
Cash
II s d
to a cloak 15s to a gray carsy coat £l-10s 02-05-00
to 3 vests and an old coat 17s to a pair of briches 5s 01-02-00
to 2 pair of old briches 2s to 1 pair of gloves Is 00-03-00
to 1 pair of stockins 2s-6«i to 2 pair of shoes 10s 00-12-06
to a hat 2s to 2 shirts lis to 2 neck-cloths and other linen. . . 00-15-00
to cash att fifteen peny weight 18-04-00
to a gun and sword £1 to amunition and powder horns 5s-6<i 01-05-06
to a bulit mould Is to 3 pound of lead Is to an old blanket 5s . 00-07-00
to a feather bed, bolster and pillow £3 to 2 underbeds 3s 03-03-00
to 25 yds of bed ticking £l-17s-6a to 2 underbeds more 9s 02-06-06
to 5 feather pillows £1 to 2 old coverlids more 8s ' 01-08-00
to 7 coverlids £3-10s to 6 pair of old sheets £3 06-10-00
to 3 pair of new sheets £3 to 16 fine napkins £l-4s 04-04-00
to 5 table cloths 15s to 8 towels 8s to 6 pillow cots 12* 01-15-00
to a chees cloth Is to an ink horn 8a, to an old red mantle 5s. 00-06-08
to 3 yds of lincy-woolcy 9s to 3 lb of flax £1 to 2 meall bags 8s 01-17-00
to 11 lb of sheeps wool lis to 2 chests 15s to a box and and old
trunk 5s 01-11-00
to a new bedstead 10s to 2 old bedsteds 6s to 3 bed cords 7s-6d 01-03-06
to a brass ketell £4 to 2 brass skilits lis to an old brass
cittell 5s 04-16-00
to an iron pot £1 to an iron kettel 10s to a warming pan 13s . . 02-03-00
to 2 peuter platters 14s to a peuter bason 5s to 6 poringers 6s. . 01-05-00
to old peuter 4s-8a to a chamber pot ls-8<i to an earthern
plater Is 00-07-04
to other earthern ware 4s-4<i to 4 glass bottels 2s to wooden
and platers and chese moats 5s and chees press 4s 0-15-04
to a wooden bottell and 1 paill 2s-6a to a hetchell 10s 00-12-06
to 1 pouder tub 7s to other tubs in the seller 5s to a half
bushell ls-6a 00-08-06
to a half peck 6s and 2 barils 4s to 4 vines 3s corn basket Is. 00-08-06
to 3 old riddels Is to 3 old bags Is to a half pike Is 2 sieues 3». 00-06-00
to 3 splinter brooms Is to 2 powdering more 3s to 3 old
cask ls-6<i 00-05-06
to a meall troaff Is to 3 bushels of mault 9s to half bus salt 2s 00-12-00
to 5 spoons and 2 pair of sisors 2s to an old frying and a
smothing iron 4s 00-06-00
to 7 small baskets 2s to an old bible and other old books 8s. . 00-10-00
to 4 chair 6s and 4 cushins 2s to a table 10s to a lamp 2s 01-00-00
to a pair of cards ls-6<i to a slise 2s-6a to a pair of tongs 3s . . 00-07-00
to a tramill and hooks 6s and 1 pair of pot hooks Is 00-07-00
to 14 lb. of coars wool 9s-4<i to a youk and stake and rings
3s-6d 00-12-10
to hors traces and whipeltree chain 12s and coller 4s 00-16-00
to a plow chain and double hooks 10s and plow cleui 2s-6<i . . 00-12-06
to a sheare and coller 8s to a cart and iron to it £l-4s 01-04-00
150 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Cash
11 s d
to a fork 2b-G<i to a cart roap 5s to a sith and tacklin 5s-6a. . 00-12-06
to a broad hoak 3** to a timber cbain £l-15<i a bridle 3s 01-15-06
to 2 pair of fork tines 3s beatle and 3 wedges 6s an ax 4* 00-13-0©
an old ax ls-6<i and exiting knife for bay 4s-6<i and sbeep
sbears 2s 00-08-00
to a band saw 3s to drawing knife 4s-6<i to a latbing bamer
2s-6<J to another bamer ls-6<i to a troah Is 00-12-OG
to cbisels and a goudg and a puncb 5s 2 trouels 4s 00-09-00
to old broken chains and old iron £1-Ss sith tacklin 2s-6a 01-10-06
to gimblits and awls 2s to 2 spindels Is to a spade 3s 00-06-00
to a stubing hoak 2s-6d to a parcell of tand leather 14* 00-16-06
to a pereell of nails 4s 00-04-00
to one yoak of oxen £9 to a three yeare old stear £2-10s 11-10-00
to a heifer £l-15s to one Cow £2-15s to 2 mares £5 09-10-00
to 6 sheep £l-10s to 3 hindges 3s to a cow hide 2s-8<i 01-15-08
to the house and bomstead and barn 110-00-00
to the uper lott in the long meadow 42-00-00
to the lower lott in the long meadow 50-00-00
to the boggy meadow lott and the swamp 24-00-00
to the ronnd meadow lott 08-00-00
to 4 acers on the near neck 15-00-00
to land on the further neck 09-00-00
to the dead swamp lott 02-10-00
to five acers of land on which Thomases hous now stands. . 15-00-00
to five acers of land on which Johns hous now stands 15-00-00
to three acers of land on which Josephs hous now stands.. 15-00-00
to 24 acers of land att hubards hill 60-00-00
to 315 acers att the plains or Cold Springs 150-00-00
to Wangog meadow lott 18-00-00
to 15 acres of upland neare wangog bars 15-00-00
to 5 acers and half of swamp land att the uper end of pason
chog 05-10-00
To the long lott on the east side the great riuer 80-10-00
To the half mile lott on the east side of the great riuer 10-00-00
To the half of a half mile lott 07-10-00
To His right of the undivided land in the Towne 10-00-00
Sum totall 757-19-10
The aboue Iuentorv taken by us the day aboue sett downe,
Children :
2 Thomas, b. Mar. 1, 1660-1.
3 John, b. Nov. 14, 1662.
■I Joseph, b, Sept., L663.
. r . Mary, b. Oct., L665; m. John* Savage.
6 Elizabeth, b. Apl. 12, 1668; m. Jonathan 3 Warner.
7 Esther, bapt. Apr. B2, L673; m. Nathaniel* Savage.
Hannah, bapt Mar. 83, L675; d. Nov., 1713.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 151
4
Margaret, bapt. Jan. 10, 1678-9; m. abt. 1734, Stephen Clark;
living, 1734, in New Haven.
Ebenezer, b. abt, 1681.
Mercy, bapt. Nov. 12, 1682; d. .
Abigail, b. ; m. Jan. 21, 1713-14, Walter Harris.
She " departed this life by death/' Dec. 15, 1714. Child:
Abigail, b. 29, 1714; "d. Nov. 20, 1714. He m. (2)
Jan. 23, 1717-18, Elizabeth Wheeler, who d. Sept. 13,
1718. He m. (3) Nov. 1, 1720, Deborah Prindle of
Stratford.
SECOND GENERATION
2 Thomas 2 Ranney (Thomas 1 ), b. Mar. 1, 1660-1; m. Mar.
29, 1691, Hartford, Rebecca Willett, b. , Hartford, Conn.,
dau. of Nathaniel Willett and Hannah 2 Adams, who was the dau.
of Jeremy 1 Adams and Rebecca 2 Fletcher (John 1 Fletcher).
Original members of the church organized in the " North Society."
on Jan. 5, 1714-15. Their homestead was on the right-hand side
of the road leading to " Berlin quarter," beginning at " Wilcox
brook," being part of the land bought in 1686 from the estate
of John Crow by Thomas Ranney, and given to him by his father's
will, according to the custom of that day, though he undoubtedly
had built on it at the time of his marriage. He d. Feb. 6, 1726,
and has a gravestone. His widow married Jacob 3 White.
, Adams Lineage — Jeremy Adams, in Braintree, 1632 ; freeman in
Cambridge, May 6, 1635; in Hartford, 1636; m. Rebecca, widow of
Samuel Greenhill, as a second wife, it is supposed; given, May, 1660,
exclusive right to retail liquors; Mar., 1661-2, to keep ordinary.
This tavern was on the site of the new (1906) Traveller's Building.
In it the Great and General Court was in session with the Charter,
when the demand of Gov. Andros was ignored, the lights put out,
and the Charter concealed in the Charter Oak tree. He held many
local offices. His wife, Rebecca, d. 1678, and he m. (2) Rebecca,
widow of Andrew Warner, Jr., who was dau. of John Fletcher. He
d. Aug. 11, 1683. His widow removed to Middletown, where she
lived with a son, and d. Jan. 25, 1715, aged 77.
Hannah Adams m. Nathaniel Willett. He came to Hartford in
1642; d. Jan. 4, 1698.
Will of Thomas 8 Kwney
I, Thomas Ranny of Middletown, in the County of Hartford,
husbandman, doe make this my last will and testament: Imprimis:
I give to Rebeckah, my wife, -i of my now dwelling house, £ of
my land at home, £ of my orchard and \ of my land in the long
meadow. This I give her during her natural life, excepting only
my wearing apparell, which I give to my three sons, Thomas,
Willet and Nathaniel. And what money that is lent out I give
to my wife to be at her own disposal. I give to my son Thomas
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 153
yt lottment of land whereon his house stands; also I give him my
land lying on the plain, north of lands belonging to my brother
Joseph Ranny and south of land belonging to Lt. Frary, and butts
on ye road from Middletown to Wethersfield west; also I Give
him -J of my other land lying on the plain easterly of land that
belongeth to my brother Joseph Eanny; also I give him half
of my long meadow land after my wife's decease; also I give him
the | of my land in Wangunk meadow; also I give him the \
of my Burch Swamp Pasture; also I give him my meadow at
Goose Delight and all my Neck land that lyeth near sd. Goose
Delight Meadow.
I give to my son Willet all my land at Timber Hill; also my
lower lott in Boggy Meadow; also I give him the remainder of
my land at Passonchoague after my grandson George hath had
2 acres more than what I have given him and his sister by deed
of gift, and two acres to lye next to that which I have given him
and his sister as above, and then all the remainder of my land
there or thereabouts to be to my son Willet; also I give him £
part of my lottment of land on the plain that lyeth easterly of
land that belongeth to my brother Joseph Ranny and westerly
of land belonging to my brother Ebenezer Ranny. I give to the
heirs of my son George in this my will what I have given them by
deed of gift. Also I give to my grandson George Ranny, the
son of my son George Ranny deed, two acres of land adjoining
to that which I have given to him and his sister by deed of gift,
which is the two acres above specified. I give to my son Nathaniel
the \ of my now dwelling hottse and half of my barn, \ of my
land at home, \ of my orchard at my decease and the other half
at my wife's decease. I give to my three daughters Rebeca, Mar-
garet and Anne, § of my moveable estate at my decease. Also I
give to my three daughters all my lands that are already laid out
in the last division on the east side of the Great River. Also I
give them all my land in the Round Meadow. Also I give them
all my land lyeing on the Heither Neck, so called. Also I give
to my three sons all my propriety right in lands that are yet to be
divided in Middletown. And whereas it is sayd in that part of
my will that my son Willet shall have all my land at Timber
Hill, it is to be understood that Willet is to accomodate his mother
with pasturing for a cow or two if she needs it. I appoint my
three sons, Thomas, Willet and Nathaniel, Executors.
Thomas X. Ranny.
Witness : Joseph Ranny
Roger Gipson, John Warner
154 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Be it known to all men by these presents: That whereas I,
Thomas Eanny of the Town of Middletown have made my last
will and testament in writeing bearing date 31st January 1726-7,
I the sd. Thomas Eanny, by this present codicil, do ratify and
confirm my sd. last will and testament, and do will and bequeath
to my three daughters, Eebeckah, Anne and Margaret, the sum of
£20 in money or bills of credit of this Colony or the neighboring
provinces, to be paid unto them by my son Willet on consideration
of his having all my land at Timber Hill, the sd. £20 to be paid
after my wife's decease.
Thomas X Eanny.
Witness : Joseph Eanny
Eoger Gipson, John Warner.
Ch ildren :
9 Thomas, b. Aug. 14, 1692.
10 Willett, b. Mar. 30, 1693-4.
II George, b. Oct. 28, 1695.
Rebecca, b. Dec. 10, 1700; m. Jonathan 3 Doolittle. (See the
Doolittle Familv.)
12 Nathaniel, b. June 17, 1702.
Ann, b. July 23, 1706.
Margaret, b. Aug. 21, 1708; m. Ebenezer 3 Eanney.
3 John 2 Eanney, (Thomas 1 ), b. Nov. 14, 1662; m. Dec. 28,
1693, Hannah Turner, b. Mar. 4, 1678-9, Middletown, dau. of Ed-
ward Turner and Mary Sanford.
Edward Turner was in Milford, 1651 ; rem. to Middletown in
1665. In his will he names his daughter Hannah "now the wife
of John Eanney." His tombstone in Eiverside Cemetery says he
died Apr. 4, 1717, aged 84. Eichard Sanford was in Boston in
1640, in which year his wife Margery died.
John 2 Eanney and his wife were adm. to full communion in the
Middletown ch. June 2, 1695; were original members of the North
Society ch. organized Jan. 5, 1714-15. His homestead was next
north of that of his brother Thomas. In 1717 he sold out and rem.
to East Middletown where he and his wife were original members
of the Third Society ch. organized 1721. The dates of theii
deaths are unknown.
Children :
' Marce 3 , b. Dec. 28, 1695, Upper Houses; m. July 19, 1722,
East Middletown, John Hall, b. Aug. 19, 1699, Upper
Houses, son of Deacon Samuel Hal] and Sarah Hinsdale.
She d. Oct. 1, 1762, he Feb. 3, 1767. Children:
^ Hnffib^Mtr*^ Wen*4wL J&SLuyri, £rvfci"?A *"'&>
-x>/imJj & fan*/*^,*^ Jet***), J^W^^
^:
Qftjng j&#«fe*«j,
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J^nu tan?-
^j^ -n^h* d/v. *V*>- K - of cn/yj^ *T*Jnc
/ <V*« £#'•■»< Mot/ >t «=7^A
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4J c~r*Ji
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DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 155
John, Hannah, Marce, Gideon and Mary 4 , who m. Comfort
Eaton ; Sylvanus 5 Eaton m. Sarah Goodrich ; David 6 Eaton
m. Selinda Sweetland ; Jacob Sweetland 7 Eaton m. Adaline
Eeynolds; Jane Adaline 8 Eaton m. Henry Kirke Wight.
They res. Indian Orchard, Mass.
Hannah, b. June 1, 1699; d. Nov. 26, 1699.
John, b. Sept. 12, 1700; d. Sept. 20, 1700.
13 John, b. Oct. 1, 1703.
14 Eichard, b. Feb. 18, 1705.
Deborah, b. Aug. 24, 1708.
Jeremiah, b. Jan. 25, 1713; d. Feb. 16, 1713.
Samuel, b. Aug. 12, 1715; m. Ann Miller, b. Dec. 7, 1701,
dau. of John Miller and Marcy Bevins. He served in 7th
Co., Capt. Herlihy, 1st Reg., 1758, French-Indian War,
reported as having d. Aug. 21, 1758. Owned several pieces
of property. No probate record.
4 Joseph 2 Eanney (Thomas 1 ), b. Sept. 1663, Upper Houses;
m. Jan. 1693, Mary 4 Starr, b. 1672, New London, Ct., d. Oct. 18,
1747, Upper Houses, dau. of Comfort 3 Starr and Marah Weld.
He was given as a homestead a part of the land bought in 1686
by his father of John Crow's estate. His house stood where Deacon
John Stevens built. It was transferred to him in his father's will.
He and his wife were adm. to full communion in the original
church on Sept. 15, 1695. They were original members of the
North Society ch., organized Jan. 5, 1714-15. In 1740 he deeded his
various properties to his children. He d. Mar. 21, 1745. Their
tombstones are seen herewith.
Will of Joseph 2 Eanney
This first Day of July, In the fourteenth year of the Eeign of
his Majesty King George the second Anno Domini 1740. I Joseph
Eanny of Middletown, in the County of Hartford and Colony of
Connecticut, in New England, being advanced in years, and very
infirm in body, but of sound disposeing mind and memory, thanks
be given to God therefor, and calling to mind the mortality of my
body, knowing it is appointed for man once to Dye, do make and
ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say, principally
and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of
God that gave it, when he shall put a Period to my temporal life
and my body to the earth to a Decent burial, Hopeing to have free
pardon of all my sins, through the merits of Jesus Christ my
blessed Eedeemer, and to inherit everlasting life, and as touching
such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in
156 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
this Life, I give, demise, and dispose of the same in the following
manner and form.
Imp 8 . I give and bequeath unto Mary my well beloved wife
one third part of all my household goods whatsoever, and one good
cow, six sheep, and one swine, all which to be at her own dispose.
I also give her the improvement of one third part of all my build-
ings and improved lands and fire wood (which I have reserved for
her in the deeds that I have given to my sons) During the time
that she shall remain my widow.
And whereas I have by deeds of gift disposed of all my real
estate to and among my three sons Joseph Daniel and Jonathan I
also hereby give them all and every part of my personal estate what-
soever, that I have not herein given to my wife, Hereby also oblig-
ing my sd. three sons to pay all my just debts, funeral charges and
legacies after mentioned, viz: to Edward Shepard & Mary Shep-
ard the only children of my daughter Mary Shepard, Dec'd. the
sum of fourty pounds money, to my daughter Abigail Stocking the
sum of fourty pounds money, to my daughter Sibel Porter, the sum
of fourty pounds money, and to Lucia Stocking and Grace Stocking
the only children of my daughter Rachel Stocking dec'd the sum
of fourty pounds money, which my sd sons shall pay in the parts
following, Joseph fourty five pounds thereof, Daniel fourty five
pounds thereof and Jonathan the remaining seventy pounds, which
legacies my sd sons shall pay to such of my sd daughters and
grandchildren as shall be of lawful age at my decease, one half
thereof within three months after my decease and the other half
within nine months after my decease and those of my sd grand
children that shall not be of lawful age at my decease, shall receive
their legacies as they come to lawful age.
And my will is that if one of the sd. children of either or both
of my sd deceased daughters should decease before they attain to
lawful age the surviver shall receive the whole of said forty pounds.
But if both the sd children of either of my sd daughters should
decease before they attain to lawful age, my will is that the said
forty pounds shall remain to my said three sons.
And I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my said three
30ns Joseph Ranny, Daniel Rartny & Jonathan Ranny executors to
this my last will and testament. Hereby ratify allowing and con-
firming this and no other to be my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have hereto set niv hand and seal the day
and year before written Joseph Ranny (Seal)
Signed, sealed, published and
declared by the said Joseph
Ranny to be his last will
and Testament. In presence of, etc.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 157
Children :
15 Mary, b. Dec. 14, 1694; m. Samuel Shepard.
Elizabeth, b. Jan. 1, 1697 ; d. Jan. 9, 1723.
16 Joseph, b. Apr. 11, 1699.
Abigail, b. Nov. 16, 1702; m. Dec. 20, 1726, Capt. Joseph
Stocking. (See the Stocking Family.)
Sybil, b. Mar. 10, 1704; m. Aug. 21, 1724 Amos Porter. Chil-
dren: Eachel, Gideon, Amos, Lucretia, Asahel, Sybil,
Medad.
17 Daniel, b. July 13, 1707.
18 Jonathan, b. Aug. 26, 1709.
Eachel, b. Dec. 25, 1711, m. Jan. 26, 1737, Elisha Stocking.
(See the Stocking Family.)
[Starr Lineage — Dr. Comfort 1 Starr, b. England, lived in Ash-
ford Co., Kent, in the practice of his profession, was a man of
wealth, position, and importance, being in 1631 Warden of St.
Mary's church and in 1634 on a committee to repair the church.
He having taken the oath of conformity to the orders and discipline
of the Church of England, came from Sandwich, Co. Kent, Mar.
21, 1634-5, in the ship Hercules and made his residence in New-
towne, now Cambridge, Mass., where he practiced his profession.
He rem. to Duxbury and in 1649 to Boston, where he d. Jan. 2,
1659-60. (See Starr Genealogy.)
Dr. Thomas Starr 2 , b. England; d. Oct. 26, 1658; m. Eachel Har-
ris. He was appointed, May 17, 1637, chirurgeon to~~Ehe forces
sent against the Pequots. He lived in Duxbury, Scituate, Yar-
mouth and Charlestown, where in 1654 he was " clerk of the
writs."
Comfort 3 Starr, b. 1644, Scituate, Mass. ; d. Oct. 18, 1693, Mid-
dletown, Conn. ; m. in Boston, Marah Weld, bapt. Aug. 2, 1646, at
Eoxbury, dau. of Joseph Weld and Barbara Clapp. He went to
New London in 1671, but soon rem. to Middletown, where he was
granted lands in Mar., 1674-5. He left no will. The inventory
names his children, Comfort 24, Joseph 17, Benjamin 15, Thomas
7, Daniel 1, Mary 22, Hannah 20, Eachel 10.]
[Shepard Lineage — Edward 1 Shepard, a cooper, was an early resi-
dent of Cambridge, Mass. He had six children.
Sergeant John 2 Shepard, b. abt. 1627, was made a freeman at
Cambridge, Mass., in 1650; m. Oct. 1, 1649, Eebecca Greenhill,
b. 1634, dau. of Samuel Greenhill. He had six children. Edward,
the sixth, rem. to Hartford, residing on what is Lafayette street.
158 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Edward 3 Shepard, b. July 31, 1662, Hartford, Conn.; d. Sept.
9, 1711, Upper Houses. He was granted land where the Cong,
church now stands; m. Apr. 14, 1687, Abigail 2 Savage (John 1 ),
b. July 10, 1666; d. Oct. 16, 1719.
Children :
John, b. Feb. 19, 1688 ; m. Feb. 17, 1720, Sarah Clark, dau.
of John Clark and Elizabeth White, dau. of Capt. Na-
thaniel. They rem. to East Middletown.
Edward, b. Dec. 18, 1689 ; d. Apr. 29, 1721.
Samuel, b. Apr. 18, 1692.]
5 Mary 2 Ranney (Thomas 1 ), b. Oct. 1665, Upper Houses; m.
May 20, 1682, John 2 Savage, b. Dec. 1, 1652, d. Oct. 31. L726,
son of John 1 Savage and Elizabeth Dublin. (See the Savage Fam-
ily.) He was com d . Captain of the traine band in 1711. She d.
Aug. 19, 1734. They were original members of the church in the
North Society organized Jan. 5, 1714-15.
Children:
John, b. Feb. 20, 1683, d. Mar. 13, 1683.
Thomas 3 , b. Aug. 21, 1684; m. Mary Goodwin of Hartford.
(John 4 , Huldah 5 , Hepzibah Wilcox, Norris Galpin 7 , Henry
Norris 8 Galpin, Ruth 9 Galpin, a Life Member of Soc. M. U.
H., res, Berlin, Conn.)
John, b. Jan. 30. 1685; d. Aug. 20, 1686.
John, b. Aug. 7, 1688; d— .
Mary, b. Feb. 11, 1690-1 ; m. Sept. 22, 1709, David Hurlbut,
son of John Hurlbut and Mary Deming.
William, b. July, 1693; m. Nov. 6, 1729, Hannah 3 Savage,
(William 2 , John 1 ).
Elizabeth, b. July, 1696; m. Sept., 1725, Andrew 4 Cornwall.
(William 3 , William 2 , William 1 ).
Abigail, b. Dec. 1698; d. Mar. 1699.
Sarah, b. Sept., 1700; m. June 2, 1726, William 8 Savage,
(William 2 , John 1 ).
Rachel 3 , b. Jan. 15, 1703-4; m. Apr. 4, 1728, William Good-
rich. (Mary 4 , Ruth 8 Watson, Ruth Buck, James Gurdon 7
Taylor, b. Nov. 6, 1812; m. Apr. 13, 1865, Adelia M. Miner.
Res. So. Glastonbury, Ct.)
Mercy, b. Apr. 10, 1706; m. Mar. 1. 1726-7, George 4 Stocking,
(George 3 , Samuel 2 , George 1 ).
6 Elizabeth- Ranney (Thomas 1 ), b. Apr. 12, 1668, Upper
Houses, m. Aug. 4, 1698, Jonathan 3 Warner, b. , son
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 159
of John 2 Warner, who came to Upper Houses about 1660, occupying
the Robert Webster place, and grandson of Andrew 1 Warner. She
was received into full com. of Middletown ch. July 28, 1695 and
was an original member of the church organized in the North
Society, Jan. 5, 1714-15. They rem. to East Middletown about
1710, where she was an original member of the Third Church or-
ganized in 1721. He d. Nov. 4, 1733. She d. Feb. 11, 1757. Both
have gravestones.
Children :
Jonathan, b. July 2, 169—; d. July 6,170— .
John, b. Aug. 16, 171—; d. Sept. 5, 171—.
7 Esther 2 Ranney (Thomas 1 ), bapt. Apr. 22, 1673; m. Dec.
3, 1696, Nathaniel 2 Savage (John 1 ), b. May 7, 1671, Upper
Houses. He was 14 years of age when his father died and willed
him the homestead. In 1709 he sold it to Lieut. Samuel Frarv
of Wethersfield and rem. to East Middletown where she was an
original member of the third church, organized in 1721. He was
Lieut, of the east side train band, and d Jan. 4, 1734-5; she d.
Apr. 1, 1750. Both have gravestones.
Children :
Esther 3 , b. Sept. 2, 1697; d. Apr. 16, 1769; m. Apr. 2, 1724,
William 4 Cornwall (William 3 2 1 ). He had a grist mill
in E. Middletown and d. Dec. 13, 1775. (Rachel 4 Cornwall,
Prudence 5 Goodrich, Prudence 6 Dixon, Daniel 7 Penfield,
Daniel Edward 8 Penfield, who m. Jan. 1, 1871, Alice 8
Buck, Silas 7 Buck, Erastus 6 Buck, Ruth 5 Watson, Mary 4
Goodrich, Rachel 3 Savage, Mary 2 Ranney, Thomas 1 D. E.
Penfield and wife have Katie Louise, b. Feb. 24, 1874;
d. Apr. 13, 1874. Res. Warren, Mass.) (John 4 Corn-
wall, Ozias 5 , Ellesworth 6 , Sally Melissa 7 , Sarah Jane 8 , b.
Aug. 9, 1838; m. June 27, 1876, Russell Smith Taft, b.
Jan. 28, 1835, Williston, Vt., d. Mar. 22, 1902, State Senator,
Judge Probate, Chief Judge of Supreme Court of Vt.
Child: Russell Wales, b. May 4, 1878, grad. 1898, m. Dec.
16, 1901. Winona Lee Brigham, dau. of Rev. Sidney Sum-
ner Brigham ; son Robert Brigham, b. Oct. 4, 1902. Res.
of Mrs. Judge Taft and son, Burlington, Vt.)
Nathaniel, b. Oct. 3, 1698; d. Apr. 27, 1699.
Abigail, b. Apr. 9, 1700; m. Mar. 21, 1726-7, Stephen Board-
man.
Susanna, b. June 29, 1702; m. Dec. 24, 1735, John Stephen-
son.
160 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Mary, b. July 10, 1701; d. July 27, 1712.
Elizabeth, b.* Jan. 27, 1707-8- m. Feb. 12, 1746, Gershom
Goodrich.
John, b. Sept. 1, 1710.
Nathaniel, b. Oct, 29, 1713; d. Dec. 6, 1716.
Jabez, b. July 12, 1718; d. July 20, 1743.
8 Ebenezer 2 Ranney (Thomas 1 ), b. abt. 1681, Upper Houses;
m. Aug. 4, 1698, Sarah Warner, b. , dau of
John Warner and . They resided on adjoining home-
steads. She died Oct. 4, 1741. He died May 8, 1754. No tomb-
stones. He had inherited the homestead. His will, May 24, 1748,
gives " to my well beloved son, Ebenezer Eanny, all and singular
my lands, messuages, tenements with two thirds of my horses, cat-
tle and sheep, husbandry Emprovements of what kind soever and
also my gun and war like stores of every sort, together with all
my money, notes, bonds and other securities for money and all my
wearing apparel with one third part of my household stuff and
my will is that my son Ebenezer Eanny should keep winter and
summer one cow and six sheep for my daughter Hannah Eanny
so long as she lives unmarried.
To Hannah the south part of the house and what she needs
of the cattel and two thirds parts of my household stuff during
her life and if she have no lawful heir of her body to be distributed
to my son Ebenezer and my daughter Ruth Moss.
To Ruth Moss £10 old tenner to be paid by my executor within
12 months after my decease.
Extracts from the inventory. " In old tenor money Rhode Island
8c Hampshire old tenour £77. 17-6. Conn, old tcnour £17-6-6."
Total was £901-2-6.
Children:
Sarah, b. Jan. 15, 1699; d. Sept. 4, 1742.
Hannah, b. Mar. 25, 1702; unm. in 1748.
19 Ebenezer, b. Nov. 22, 1704.
Ruth, b. Apr. 6, 1707; mm. Apr. 13, 1738. Theophilus Moss
of Wallingford. GhUdren:
Ebenezer, b. Nov. 25, 1710; m. Apr. 27, 1764, Esther Pres-
ton.
Esther, b. June 10, 1744; d. Aug. 25, 1744.
Ruth, b. Apr. 17, 1746.
Esther, b. Mar. 7, 1710; d. Oct. 7, 1741.
[Moss Lineage -John 1 Moss was in Now Haven as early as 1645.
lie was a prominent man there, frequently representing the people
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 161
in the General Court. In 1667 he was in Wallingford. In 1670
at the age of sixty-seven he was active in procuring an act of incor-
poration, giving the name of Wallingford to the town, after which
he often represented this town in the Great and General Court. He
d. in 1707, at the advanced age of one hundred and three. (See
the Moss Genealogy.)
John 2 Moss, b. ; m. 1677, Martha Lathrop, who d.
Sept. 21, 1719. He d. Mar. 31, 1717. Ten children.
Deacon Samuel 3 Moss, b. Nov. 18, 1680; m. Dec. 15, 1703,
Susannah Hall. He d. July 29, 1765; she d. Mar. 4, 1766, aged
eighty-three years.
Theophilus 4 Moss, b. Oct. 24, 1704; m. Apr. 13, 1738, Ruth
Ranney.]
THIRD GENERATION
9 Thomas 3 Ranney (Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Aug. 14, 1692,
Upper Houses; m. Feb. 26, 1720, Esther Wilcox, b. Oct. 31, 1699,
Upper Houses, dau. of Ephraim 3 "Wilcox (son of John 2 Wilcox
and Esther Cornwall) and Silence Hand, dau. of Joseph Hand
and Jane Wright of Guilford. By the will of his father he re-
ceived the farm on which he was then residing and on which he
lived till his death. Mar. 22, 1764. She died Oct. 3, 1779. This
farm is now the S. V. Hubbard place, a mile north of the Churcb
•i. and is on the main road to Hartford.
The estate was divided by agreement among the " aiers." The
home lot comprised " seven aykers " and over. There had been
advanced by deeds to Jeremiah £33-7-6; to Thomas £40; and to
Ephraim £80. These three sons were to give their mother £7 per
year for life. To " Abijay " was given half the house and home
lot and £5 "lit" (right) in the "hous" and barn. Dorothy,
("Doole") and the other daughters each received money and
other parts of the " parsnel a steat " (personal estate). The " dis-
trebueshion " is signed by AVidow Easter Ranney, and all the
children except Abijah and Ephraim. The latter signed on re-
turning on a visit from Westminster. Vt. Abijah bought the in-
terests of the other heirs in the homestead and occupied it till 1795
when he disposed of it and removed to Sheffield, Mas-.
Children :
20 Jeremiah, b. July 13, 1721.
21 Thomas, b. Feb. L3, L723.
22 Ephraim, b. Apr. 10, 1725.
Desire, b. Sept. 3, 1727 j m. Mar. 22, 1753, Moses Wilcox.
Children: John, Reuben, Joseph, Samuel. Mary, Reuben,
Desire.
Esi -. . I- b. ll. L730; d. unm. Jan. 18, 1817.
Dorothy, b. Nov. 29, 1732; d. unm. Mar. 15, 1799.
A/.uhah". b. Mar. 30, 1735; m. Oct. 24, — Lieut Charles" Butler,
: er, (Charles*, Richard'. Joseph," Dea. Richard 1 ).
Child: Sim, -on. b. Am:. 13, 1755, deacon, in Rocky Hill
Cong. ch. (See the Butler Family.)
11 pe, b. Nov. 9, 173'J ; d. unm. Jan. 88, L817.
1SS
DESCEXDAXTS OF THOMAS BAXXEY 163
Submit Hand, b. Feb. 17, 1740; m. Jan. 30, 17G6, Dea. John
Gaines of East Middletown.
23 Abijah, b. Aug. 28, 1743.
10 Willett 3 Eanney (Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Mar. 30, 1693-4,
Upper Houses; m. (1) Apr. 20, 1720, Xew Haven, Ct., Anne John-
son, b. Feb.. 1691, dau. of John 3 Johnson and Mabel Grannis.
She d. Mar. 29, 1731, and he m. (2) Dec. 23, 1731, Deborah 4 White,
b. Feb. 26, 1694, dau. of Jacob 3 White and Deborah Shep-
ard. He was a. favorite grandson, judging from the will of
Thomas 1 . He received from his father the Timber Hill property,
so that he had a farm of 90 acres. He built the mansion now
owned and occupied by Mr. William Bergin, and which is at the
base of Timber Hill. He was a slave holder and caused the negro
children to be baptized. His tombstone indicates his standing in
the community. He gave the homestead to his son Willett and
purchased of Eoger Gibson his homestead of four acres, north of
the Thomas Stow house. He d. Sept. 5, 1751. And the name had
become Eanney.
Will of Willett 3 Eanney
In the Xame of God Amen. The Second Day of September
1751.
I, Willit Eanney of Middletown in the County of Hartford &
Coloney of Connecticut in Xew England Yeoman, Being sick and
week in Body, But of a Sound & perfect mind & memory thanks
be given unto God: therefore Calling to mind the Mortality of
the Body & knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Dye
Do make & ordain this my Last & only Will & Testiment that is
to say Principally & first of all I give & Eecommend my Soul into
the Hand of God that gave it, And my Body I Eecommend to the
Earth to be buried in Decent Christian Buriel at the Discretion of
my Executors : nothing doubting but at the General Eesurrection
I shall Eeceive the same again by the mighty power of God. And
as Touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to
Bless me in this life I Give & Demise & Dispose of the same in the
following Manner & Form
Imprimis. I give & Bequeath unto my well Beloved Wife Deb-
orah Eanney all that she brought with her when we were Merried
to be at her own disposal: & I give her the improvement of one
of my Dwelling houses which she shall choose & the improvement
of one Third part of my Home Lott I live on & the land Adjacent
to it, & one Third of my Whitmore Lott, Gipson Lott wheBe my
house stands & my Swamp Meadow Lott. This I give her so long
164 MIDDLETOWX UPPEE HOUSES
as she remains my Widow. I also give her two Good Feather
Beds with proper furniture includeing what she brought with her:
I give her two Cows which she shall Choose & a Heifer Coming
two years old, & my Rideing Mare & ten sheep, as long as she
is my widow. & my will is that my two Daughters Thankfull &
Elizabeth should live in the house with their mother as long as
they or Either of them shall remain unmerried, & in case my wife
should Dye before either or both my above named Daughters shall
merry Then they or either of them shall have the Privilege of
living with my son Willet Ranney. My will is that my wife shall
have wood brought to the Door by my son Willet Ranney sufficient
to maintain one fire & well prepared for that purpose. My will is
that the Creatures I have given to my wife shall be kept
thro the Winter upon the hay I have provided, & also a sufficient
quantity of Grain & Meal shall be given my wife out of my move-
ables to supply her & my two Daughters who are to live with her
for the year Coming.
Item. I give & bequeath to my well beloved son Willit Ranney
all my Lauds & Buildings Except what shall be hereafter Disposed
off to my Daughters I give my son Willit my Negro Man Peter,
My team of four oxen & all my husbandry Tools my year old Coalt,
my Gun & Sword & war like stores & also all my wearing Apperril
& my will is that after my wife has received out of my moveables
sufficient provision for the year for herself & two daughters Thank-
ful & Elizabeth Then what remains of my Moveable Money Bonds
Book Debts shall be improved to pay my lawful Debts & funeral
Charges & to make my two Daughters Thankful & Elizabeth equal
to what either of their sisters have received who are already Mer-
ried, & what Remains my will is shall be equally Diveded between
all my children.
Item. I give & Bequeath to my well Beloved Daughters Thank-
ful Ranney Ann Sage Rebecca Savage. Deborah Sage & Elizabeth
Ranney my Souse & l^ott that was Roger Gipsons which lavs ad-
jovning unto William Savage & David Edwards: Mv Great Short
'Hill Lott that I bough! of Ephriam Willcox : My Hether Short
Hill Lott Bought of the widow Doolittle, my lott north side of
mountain Swamp Joyning to Mr. Hugh White & John Kirbey con-
taining aboul fifteen or sixteen acres & my Lott the back side
of Long Hill which I bought of the Widow Wblcot 1 mean that
part I Dont improve, I suppose it to contain about half the Lott.
These Lands 1 give to be equally Divided between all my Daughters.
I do Hereby Constitute & appoint my well Beloved son Willit
llanncv & Ebenezer Savage to be my Executors to see this my Last
Will & Testimenl Ratified & fulfilled according to the true intent
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 165
& Meaning hereof, & I do utterly Disannul & make void all former
Wills & Testiments & Ratify & Confirm this my Last & only Will
& Testiment. In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my Hand
& Seal the Day & year above written.
Willet Eanney (SEal)
Signed, Sealed, Published, Pronounced & DEclared by yhe said
Willit Ranney as his Last Will & Testiment in the Presence of us
the Subscribers
Edward Eells
Churchel Edwards
Joseph Barns
Children by 1st marriage:
Thankful, b. Aug. 22, 1722; d. Apr. 6, 1768.
Anne, b. Oct. 9, 1723; m. Aug. 7, 1746, John 4 Sage 3d.
Children: Reuben, Simeon, John, Simeon, James, Ann,
Lucy, Sybil, Olive. They built the Ranney-Adams house
in 1761.
Rebecca, b. Oct. 3, 1726; m. Ebenezer Savage. (See the Sav-
age Family.)
24 Willett, b. Mar. 29, 1731.
Children by 2d marriage:
Deborah, b. May 28, 1733; m. May 24, 1748, Lewis Samuel
Sage. Children: Lemuel, Francis, Willett M. died in Rev.
army, Lewis S., Deborah, Thankful, Millie, Jerusha, Han-
nah, Betsy.
Elizabeth, b. Mar. 17, 1734; m. Apr. 17, 1755, Jonathan Sav-
age. He d. Apr. 4, 1805. She d. July 18, 1779. Children,
settled in New York: Jonathan, James, Jacob, Elizabeth,
Lucy, David, Moses, Eleazar, Jonathan, James.
[Johnson Lineage — Robert 1 Johnson, of New Haven, is said to
have come from Yorkshire, England, with his four sons, John, Rob-
ert, Thomas, and William. He d. 1661.
AVilliam 2 Johnson (Robert 1 ), b. abt. 1630, settled at Guilford,
Conn., as early as 1653. He was deacon, town clerk, and many
times deputy, from 1665 to 1694. He married (1) Elizabeth,
daughter of Francis Bushnell, wh. died Oct. 27, 1702. He married
(2) Mary Sage, daughter of David Sage of Upper Houses. Their
son Samuel was the first president of King's College. There were
eleven children.
John 2 Johnson (Robert 1 ), b. in England. Married Hannah,
dau. of John and Hannah Parmelee of Guilford. His estate was
probated in 1687. She was living as late as 1693. They had nine
children.
166 MIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES
John 3 Johnson (John 2 , Robert 1 ), b. Aug. 27, 1661; m. Mar. 55,
1684-5, Mabel Grannis, dau. of Edward Grannis and (his 2d
wife) Hannah 2 Wakefield (John 1 of New Haven). His will was
made Dec. 10, 1712, recorded, vol. 4, page 117, New Haven Pro-
bate Records.
Children :
Thomas, b. Jan. 12, 1689-90. Rem. to Upper Houses.
Anne, b. Feb., 1691; m. Willett Ranney.
Hannah, b. May 23, 1710; m. Benjamin Hand of Middle-
town, son of Benj. and Sarah (Ward) Hand.]
11 George 3 Ranney (Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Oct. 28, 1695. Up-
per Houses; m. Mary Hale, b. Glastonbury,
Conn., dau. of Thomas Hale, cordwinder, and Mercy Hurlbnt.
Mr. Hale in 1711 purchased 125 acres in East Middletown. His
will, filed in Hartford, gives property to the two grandchildren
named herein. Mr. Ranney was one of those who removed to East
Middletown. Just after his untimely death his father executed a
deed to his son's " heirs," not naming them. These children were
brought up in the family of Grandmother Hale, according to a tra-
dition. He died March 28. 1725. She died Nov. 26, 1749. Both
have tombstones in East Middletown. Their children in 1752 exe-
cuted deeds by which George became the sole owner of the Hale
homestead. It descended to Jonathan 5 Ranney who died on it.
Children :
25 George, bapt. Apr. 14, 1723.
Mary, bapt. Apr. 11, 1725. She married (1) Joseph Bush who
d. June 12, 1749, at Surinam, " as per account ; ( 2 ) 1749-54,
Thomas Davis who united with her, 1754, in releasing to
George their interest in the Hale homestead.
[Hurlbut Lineage — Thomas 1 Hurlbut came in 1635 to Saybrook
with Lion Gardiner and was wounded in the fight with the Indians.
He rem. to Wethersfield. (See Hurlbut Genealogy.)
John 2 Eurlbut, blacksmith. Bettled in Middletown.
Mercy 3 Hurlbut, b. Feb. 19, 1680-1; m. Thomas Hale.]
[Hale Lineage Samuel 5 Haile or Bale, b. 1610, was in 1631
in Wethersfield; 3erved in the Pequol War; leased, 1660, the
estate of Governor Thomas Will.- mi the Glastonbury (east) side
of the Connecticul River; d. Nov. 9, L693, Glastonbury.
John- Ilalc 1.. Feb. vi, L647, Wethersfield side of the river; m.
May 8, 1668, Hannah NTott. He d. July 19, 1709.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 167
Thomas 3 Hale. b. Sept., 1675; m. Mercy Hurlbut; b. Feb. 17.
1680-1, Middletown. In his will, 1743, he gave to his grandson,
George Eanney, the care of his negro man, and made him sole
executor. The will contains bequests to his daughter, Mary Eanney,
and granddaughter, Mary Eanney.]
12 Nathaniel 3 Eanney (Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. June 17, 1702,
Upper Houses; m. (1) May 13, 1731, Dorothy Hale, b. ;
d. Sept. 26,' 1732 ; m. (2) Jan. 16, 1733-4, Eachel 3 Sage, b. Jan. 1,
1707-8; d. Feb. 24, 1755, dau. of Jonathan 2 Sage and Ann Bodwell;
m. (3) Nov. 25, 1756, widow Thankful Willard, b. ; d.
Apr. 3, 1766. He inherited his father's homestead and d. Sept.
25, 1766. No gravestones.
Children by 2d marriage:
26 Nathaniel, b. July 16, 1735.
Ozias, b. Aug. 22, 1736; d. Sept. 13, 1736.
Eachel, ) b Noy> t m7 d> Nov 4 1737
Naomi. I
Eachel, b. July 3, 1742; m. Apr. 11, 1768, Elisha Spencer.
Child: Ozias.
Ozias, b. Mar. 15, 1744; d. "by estimate Nov. 15, 1762" in
French-Indian War.
27 Abraham, bapt. June 7, 1746.
•Amos, bapt. May 22, 1748, served in Eev. War, d. unm. 1786.
13 John 3 Eanney (John 2 Thomas 1 ), b. Oct. 1, 1703, Upper
Houses; bapt. same day; m. (1) Mar. 17, 1723-4, Eunice Wright, b.
; d. Sept. 20,1730, dau. of Jonas Wright; m. (2) Feb. 25,
1730-31, Martha Miller, b. Mar. 28, 1705; d. Jan. 4, 1799, the
church record says " 94 yrs. 2 m. 1 d. Lived for years with her
son-in-law Turpin." John Eanney was a drummer, 1745, in the
Eegt. sent to capture Louisburg. In 1755 John Eanney and John
Eanney, Jr., served together in 4th Co., 1st Eegt., French-Indian
War. A John Eanney served in 1757, 1758, 1759 and 1760.
John, Sr., died Sept. 18, 1760, in the hospital at Oswegatchie.
Martha Miller was sister to Margery who m. Eichard Eanney.
Children by 1st marriage:
Elizabeth, b. Apr. 12, 1726.
Eunice, b. Nov. 7, 1727; m. Mar. 29, 1750, Isaac Gill who d.
July 4, 1759 at sea. Children: Hannah, Elizabeth, Sarah,
Joshua, Mary.
Hannah, b. Aug. 24, 1730.
168 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Children by 2d marriage:
28 John, b. Sept. 23, 1731.
Martha, bapt. Jan. 30, 1733-4.
Timothy, bapt. Jan. 27, 1735-6. In 1755-6 served in French-
Indian War.
Seth, bapt. Feb. 19, 1737-8.
Huldah, bapt. Feb. 4, 1740; m. Aug. 21, 1764, Wm. Lucas of
New Haven.
Lucia, bapt. Apr. 11, 1742; m. Nov. 2, 1762, Henry Turpan
(Turpin).
29 Amos, bapt. Apr. 22, 1744.
14 Richard 3 Ranney (John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Feb. 18, 1705,
Upper Houses; m. Nov. 9, 1729, East Middletown, Margery Mil-
ler, b. Feb. 23, 1706-7; dau. of John Miller and Marcy Bevins.
Probate records say he died Sept. 16, 1759. A Richard Rannev
served Apr. 19-Sept. 30, 1758, in 7th Co., 1st Regt. Richard,
Sr., owned a drum as per his inventory. But as four sons, one of
them Richard, were in the service, it is left without an opinion.
According to the land records he could sing:
" No foot of land do I possess."
There was in East Middletown a very intelligent Indian called
Richard Ranney, a member of the Cong. ch. He applied for and
obtained through the Legislature his share (10 acres) of the In-
dian Reservation. He res. in Newtown, Ct., when he sold it. % The
Mass. Muster Rolls show that Richard Ranney of Stockbridge was
a private in Capt. Wm. Goodrich's Co. of Indians and enlisted
Aug. 9, 1775.
Children:
30 Jeremiah, b. Dec. 17, 1730.
Richard, b. Sept. 8, 1732.
:il Elijah, I), Oct. 6, L735.
32 Stephen, b. Jan. 15, 1737-8.
Marcy, bapt. Dec. 30, 1739.
Mary, b. Nov. 7, 1740.
Jabez, b. Feb. 12, 1742-3; m. Jan. 15, 1767, Penelope Bowers.
He served 1759 and 1762, in French-Indian War, also in
Rev. War. Died May 16, 1811.
Edward, b. Apr. 29, 1746, served in French-Indian War.
L759, 1760, 1761, and died in the service "by estimate
Nov. 15, 1762."
33 Abner, b. Mar. 15, 1747-8.
Hannah, b. Apr. 5, 1750; m. Joel Hall. (See the Hall
Family.)
Mary, b. Feb. 13, 1754.
Tombstones of Joseph2 Ranney and Wife
(See page 155)
§TI r M
Tombstones of Josephs Ranney and W
(See page 169)
O T.
"» 4sK
" -
71
-
M
■v
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 169
15 Mary 3 Eanney (Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Dec. 14, 1694,
Upper Houses; m. Apr. 15, 1715, Samuel Shepard, b. Apr. 18,
1692. He was deacon from Dec. 3, 1745, to his death by drown-
ing in the Connecticut River, Apr. 9, 1750. She d. Mar. 13,
1731-2, and he m. (2) Christian 3 Savage (Wm. 2 , John x ). (See
the Shepard Family.)
Children by 1st marriage:
Edward, b. July 24, 1721; m. Hepzibah Johnson. She m.
(2) Dr. Aaron Eoberts.
Mary, b. Sept. 14, 1731; d. Sept. 14, 1742.
16 Capt. Joseph 3 Eanney (Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Apr. 11,
1699, Upper Houses; m. July 21, 1725, Abigail 4 Warner, b. Nov.
18, 1704, dau. Capt. John 3 Warner (Andrew 2 , Andrew 1 ) and
Anne 2 Ward, dau. of Ensign Wm. 1 Ward. He was given an eight-
acre lot which had been given to his father by his grandfather.
It is located on the east side of the upper green. The sycamores,
seen herewith and still in their prime, were set out by him in all
probability at the time he built or his father built for him. His
will, dated Jan. 8, 1780, gave to Stephen and Hezekiah, and to
the male heirs of his deceased son, Fletcher, all his land not already
deeded to them, in equal portions, excepting the land in Far Neck
and Eound Meadow, which he gave to his grandson Joseph, the
eldest son of Fletcher. To his granddaughter, Grace Stephenson,
he gave his case of drawers and one table. To his daughters,
Ehoda, Abigail and Huldah, all his " indoor movables." To Heze-
kiah all his husbandry tools. The two sons were to give £10 to
Ehoda " to make good their promise." And Joseph and the two
sons were to give £5 more to Ehoda. He had built a house for
Fletcher, which stood till 1903 and which is seen herewith. Heze-
kiah retained the homestead and Stephen was a shipbuilder in
Lower Middletown. He died Oct. 18, 1783; she died Feb. 14,
1777. Both have fine tombstones seen herewith.
Children :
34 Fletcher, b. Apr. 29, 1726.
Joseph, b. June 3, 1728; d. .
35 Stephen, b. Sept. 19, 1730.
Lois, b. Aug. 2, 1733; m. May 11, 1756, Eobert Stevenson.
Child: Grace.
Hezekiah, b. Apr. 1, 1736; d. Nov. 8, 1741.
36 Hezekiah, b. Sept. 1, 1742.
Ehoda, b. June 27, 1738; m. Feb. 23, 1775, Edward Little.
Abigail, b. Apr. 18, 1745; m. Dec. 1, 1766, Elisha Wilcox.
170 MIDDLETOWN UPPEE HOUSES
Huldah, bapt. July 24. 1748; m. Dec. 24, 1772, Capt. Nathan
Sage, the noted shipbuilder and captain of various mer-
chant ships. He commanded in the Rev. War the vessels
Hunter and Middletown and captured a British powder
ship. At his marriage he purchased the original Savage
homestead, but in 1776 he purchased the Eev. Joseph
Smith house. He lost it abt. 1795 through debt. He then
went to N. York State ; was a judge, and then for 30 years
Collector of Customs in Oswego, N. Y., where they are
buried. His daughter Huldah m. (1) Normand Knox,
(2) Eussell Bunce, both of Hartford. Two sons died early
and. are buried here.
17 Daniel 3 Eanney (Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. July 13, 1707,
Upper Houses; m. Jan. 20, 1730, Esther Stow, b. Feb. 20, 1705-6,
d. July 24, 1750, dau. of Dea. Samuel 4 Stow (Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 ,
John 1 ) and Esther Mould, dau. of Hugh Mould and Martha Coit
of New London, Ct. He died Sept, 27, 1758, and his gravestone
indicates his high standing. He was a captain in the merchant
service. His first residence was the one-story house which stood
till recently on the homestead. He purchased of Charles Wilcox
the present D. B. Marsh house and grounds. In the last years of
his life he erected the mansion now known as the Wightman
house and owned by his descendants. The inventory included silk
hose, knee buckles, shoe buckles, stock buckles, 2 johannas, quad-
rant, 3 old mariner's books, 2 old Bibles, 1 Testament, 7 beaker
glasses, 1 glass punch bowl and cover. His slaves were London,
£40; Phil, £40; George, £35; Jenny, £25; Peter, £18. His total
property was valued at £1609-15-0. In the distribution to each
of the three daughters it reads, " Her part of Peter." Comfort
Butler and his wife, Sybil Eanney, sold their house and lot, the
original Thomas Hubbard house, and rem. to the Daniel Eanney
mansion. From them the Daniel Eanney mansion went to Capt.
James Butler, then to S. K. Wightman, son-in-law, and is now held
by his heirs.
Children:
Hezekiah, b. Feb. 1, 1731; d. Feb. 15, 1731.
Daniel, b. Jan. 13, 1732-3; d. , 1733.
M.mv, b. July 20, 1736; d. Nov. 18, 1741.
37 Lucretia, b. Mar. 12, 1737-8; m. May 16, 1755, Nathaniel*
Hamlin. (Bichard 3 , William-, Giles 1 .)
Marah, b. Feb. 2 1, ft t3j m. Max. 20, L760, Stephen Jenkins,
a shipbuilder. They rem. to Providence, Et. I., and in
179(1 she was residing in Savannah. Ga.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 171
Sybil, b. Aug. 29, 1744; m. May 2, 1762, Comfort Butler
(See the Butler Family.)
18 Jonathan 3 Eanney (Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Aug. 26, 1709,
tipper Houses; m. Aug. 27, 1738, Guilford, Ct., Anna Parmelee,
b. Mar. 27, 1720, dau. of- Ebenezer Parmelee and Hannah Crut-
tenden. Hannah Cruttenden, b. May 10, 1701, was the sixth
child of Abraham Cruttenden of Guilford, who had m. May 6,
1686, Susanna 2 Kirby (John 1 ). Jonathan Eanney remained with
his father and after his death sold the homestead which had fallen
to him and rem. to Guilford, where he d. July 30, 1773. The
widow d. Oct. 22, 1785.
Children :
Anna, b. July 12, 1739 ; m. John Stone.
Eachel, b. Jan. 29, 1741; m. Dec. 22, 1764, Samuel Caldwell,
son of John, who came 1718 from Scotland.
38 Jonathan, bapt. May 20, 1744.
Euth, bapt. Apr. 8, 1750; m. Thomas Powers.
Phineas, bapt. Nov. 4, 1753; d. unm. Oct. 3, 1769, Middle-
town, Ct.
Eeuben, bapt. , ; m. July 17, 1768, Lucinda
Ward of Saybrook. She died Aug. 21, 1821. Children:
Euth, b. ■ — , ; m. Joel Shelly.
Betsy, b. , ; m. Peletiah Leete.
George, b. ■ — , ; m. Nov. 24, 1786, Guilford,
Lucy Sanford. He enlisted in Eev. Army from Guilford.
Eem. to Lisle, N. Y., where he was pensioned.
19 Ebenezer 3 Eanney (Ebenezer 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Nov. 22, 1704,
Upper Houses; rec'd to full com. Jan. 13, 1741; m. Nov. 25, 1742,
Margaret 3 Eanney (Thomas 2 ); b. Aug. 21, 1708, rec'd to full com.
July 22, 1739. She d. July 28, 1783; he d. Dec. 22, 1783. No
gravestones. He had inherited the original Eanney homestead.
By his will, dated Dec. 24, 1778, he gave to. his well-beloved wife,
Margaret, " ■£ part of my buildings and lands during her natural
life and all my indore movables to her disposal. To Ebenezer, my
beloved son, whom I constitute and ordain the sole executor, all
my lands, buildings and tenements, except the south end of my
cold spring plain lot, and all my stock and husbandry tools. To
my son-in-law, Nathaniel Smith, 10 acres of land at the S. E.
cor. of my cold spring plain lot and this I give him for what he
did for Lucy at her marriage. The remainder of the sd lot I
give to my two beloved daughters Sarah Smith, now the wife of
Nathaniel Smith and Lucy Sage now the wife of Eeuben Sage."
172 MIDDLETOWN UPPEK HOUSES
Children :
Sarah, bapt. Sept. 17, 1743; d. Sept. 23, 1786; m. Apr. 2,
1766, Nathaniel 8 Smith (Joseph 4 , Eev. Joseph 3 ). Miss
Anna Francis of Glenbrook, Ct., is descended from them.
George, bapt. Sept. 29, 1745; d. July 18, 1847.
39 Ebenezer, bapt. Apr. 24, 1748.
Lucy, bapt. Feb. 25, 1749; m. Aug. 16, 1772, Eeuben Sage.
Children: James, Luther, Eeuben, Luther, Russell, George,
Ezekiel, George, Sophia, Euth, Lucy.
FOUKTH GENEBATION
20 Jeremiah* Eanney (Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. June
13, 1720, Upper Houses; m. Dec. 30, 1742, Upper Houses, Mar-
tha Stow, b. May 6, 1721, dau. of Thomas Stow and Martha
White. (See Stow and White chapters.) The house in which she
was born is given herewith. In 1743 Nathaniel Eells sold to
Daniel Eanney, and he sold to Jeremiah Eanney, a small lot from
the southeast corner of the Eells homestead. Here Jeremiah Ean-
ney built a house and a blacksmith shop, and probably set out the
elm tree still standing. The house was torn down in 1857 and the
Methodist Church was erected on its site. The view of Main
street looking north shows this church and the great elm tree.
Jeremiah sold out to Francis Whitmore when he removed to
Bethlehem, taking a church letter with him. He d. in Bethlehem,
Ct., June 14, 1801.
Children :
40 Thomas Stow, b. May 20, 1744, Upper Houses.
Martha, b. Jan. 29, 1746, Upper Houses.
Jeremiah, b. Feb. 28, 1748-9, Upper Houses.
41 Nathan, b June 20, 1751, Upper Houses.
Eebecca, b. Oct. 8, 1753, Upper Houses.
42 Solomon, b. , 1756; Bethlehem.
George, b. , ; killed in Stony Point battle,
Eev. War.
43 Stephen, b. May 24, 1761.
44 Julius, b. , 1765.
21 Dea. Thomas 4 Eanney (Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b.
Feb. 17, 1723, Upper Houses; m. Feb. 25, 1747, Mary Little, who
brought a letter from a church in the town of Farmington. (A Dr.
Sylvester Little practised medicine in the Upper Houses 1742-
47.) Thomas Eanney was "granted" the land known as "Pros-
pect Hill " and built thereon what is now known as the " West
Cottage " of the " Cromwell Hall " Sanitarium. The view of
Middletown described in his diary of 1771 by John Adams was
from this vantage ground. The " View of Middletown " given
herewith is copied from " Barber's Collections " of 1835, when
the stage coach passed close to the Eanney house abutting on the
turnpike laid out in 1802. Thomas Eanney was corporal in the
174 MIDDLETOWX UPrER HOUSES
Rev. War. In 1780 he sold to Matthew Wells of Long Island and
removed to Westminster West, Vt., where his son William had
gone in 1777. He d. Nov. 8, 1909. His wife had d. Feb. 23, 1799,
aged 80 years.
Children :
45 William, b. Sept. 18, 1753.
Rebecca, b. , — , 1755.
:; (ff^c^K %m*&
22 Ephraim 4 Ranney (Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Apr.
10, 1725-6, Upper Houses; m.
Nov. 26, 1747, East Middle-
town, Silence 5 Wilcox, b. Apr.
19, 1726, East Middletown,
dau. of Janna 4 Wilcox (Ephraim 3 , John 2 , John 1 ) and Rachel Board-
man. They res. in Upper Houses till 1755, when he bought a 60-
acre farm in Haddam, Ct. In 1761 he rem. to Westminster, Vt.,
where he purchased lot No. 7, Mar., 1761, on the bank of the Conn.
River. He kept a tavern, was one of the seven founders of the church
there and its first deacon, as ho was the first Ranney to hold that
office. He was a justice of the peace and 2d Lieut, in the Southern
Regt. of Militia. He and four sons, Ephraim, Jr., Elijah, Daniel
and Waitstill, served in the Rev. War. (See Hall's Eastern Ver-
mont and Vermont Muster Rolls of Rev. War.) He lived to see
his eleven children married, and but one of them died before him.
He was a man of sterling character, and Silence travelled on horse-
back with her stock of herbs, being a doctress of considerable repu-
tation. In the Westminster Cemetery are their graves, with head-
stones bearing these inscriptions:
Erected in memory of Dea
Ephraim Ranney who died
June 9, 1S11 after a long and
painful sick n ess in the 57
year <of his age.
Spectator dOSt thou desire this silent stone to speak the virtues of
the man Whose mortal part is here interred. Let it only say tic IOCS
an affectionate Husband, a tender Parent and an Ornament in Society.
When receiving the bitter cup of affliction he could say, " Not my uiii
but thine, O Lord, be done."
Erected in memory of Mrs
sili' nee, the amiable consort of
Dene. Ephraim Ranney who
died April 10, 1S11 in the S5
year of Iter age.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 175
To you my children and my friends
Which I have left behind,
Come view this solemn monument,
And here instruction find.
Children :
46 Ephraim, b. Oct. 27, 1748.
47 Elijah, b. Mar. 14, 1750.
48 Daniel, b. Feb. 5, 1753.
Kachel, b. May 27,
enson. Children:
Job, Ephraim, Ira, Eachel, Mary, Esther, Huldah, Rebecca.
Silence, b. Mar. 18, 1757; m. Goold of Chester, Vt.
Lydia, b. Apr. 18, 1759; m. William 5 Eanney (Thomas 4 ).
49 Waitstill, b. Jan. 3, 1762.
50 Esther, b. July 28, 1764; m. Seth Arnold.
51 Janna, b. June 11, 1766.
52 Joel, b. Mar. 2, 1768.
53 Benjamin, b. Sept. 18, 1770.
23 Abijah 4 Eanney (Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Aug.
28, 1743, Upper Houses; m. , Lucy . He inher-
ited part of the homestead, and purchased the parts which had been
given to the other children. In 1795 he rem. to Sheffield, Mass.
He m. (2) after May 7, 1803, widow Hannah Talcott of Glas-
tonbury, who in his will is named " Annar." He d. Feb. 12, 1821.
The dog story as given by the Hon. T. H. L. Talcott of Glaston-
bury, her grandson, is as follows :
Captain Abijah Eanney of Sheffield, Mass., was a son of one
of the first settlers. The Captain lived in Cromwell until he had
grown to manhood. He married for his second wife Mrs. Annah
Stillman Tallcott of Glastonbury, grandmother of Judge Thomas
H. L. Tallcott of that 'town. Captain Eanney was the owner of
a dog remarkable in many ways, and who once saved the Captain
from being robbed, and, perhaps, murdered. Judge Tallcott often
heard the story in his youth, and related the tale to a reporter
recently. The story runs as follows :
Early one morning a man called at the Captain's house and
6aid the Captain's dog was killing his sheep. Captain Eanney
said it couldn't be his dog, as the canine was shut up in the wood-
shed and had not been let out that morning. They visited the
woodshed and found the dog in his bed. The man said : " It
isn't your dog that is killing the sheep, but one that looks just
176 MIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES
like him."' Other complaints were made, but on going to the
woodshed the dog was always there. Finally one morning a man
drove up at top speed and said to the Captain : " Your dog is in
my sheep ; I left him there and raced my horse to get here before
he did."
" Well," said Captain Eanney, " we will look in the woodshed."
They went to the shed. The dog was there, but covered with
blood and licking himself. The only way out of the shed,
except by the door, was a small opening just a little larger than
the dog's body and about four feet from the floor and the same
distance from the ground outside. Through this small opening
the dog had leaped in and out in his trips to the sheep field. The
idea that the dog could use the opening to enter and leave the
shed had not occurred to the Captain, and he was greatly surprised.
Ttirning to the visitor he said : " It is my dog that is killing
sheep ! I won't keep a dog that kills sheep." He told his sons to
tie the dog up back of the barn, and that after breakfast he would
shoot him. The boys put a rope on the dog, and evidently tied
it very loosely, as they felt bad at the idea of losing the dog, who
was much liked by the family. When the Captain and the boys
went out after breakfast the dog was gone. He was not seen again
in Sheffield that summer, and no more sheep were killed.
Captain Eanney sold his cheese and other farm products to a
merchant over the New York State line. It was the custom to
collect in the fall for the product taken. The fall of the same
year in which the dog left his home, Captain Eanney went on
horseback to the New York town, made a settlement with the
merchant and was then ready to start for home, intending to go
to the next village, where he would remain over night, it was
nearly dark, and the merchant and others tried to persuade him
not to start until morning. There was a long and dark piece
of woods between the two villages, and several persons, who had
started to go from one village to the other, had never been seen
after entering the woods. It was supposed that they had been
murdered.
Captain Rannev said lie had a L r <"> ( l horse and thought he would
get through all right. He had proceeded well into the woods
when a man sprang into the road from behind a large rock, and
grasped the horse by the bridle. A large dog followed the man.
The man said to the dog, "Seize him!" The doj* Looked up at
the Captain and whined. The man repeated, " Seize him, I tell
ize him ! " Still the dog would not obey the man. Captain
Etanney Looked at the canine and saw it was his old dog. He
turned to the man, who still held the bridle, and said: "You
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 177
have tried your luck with the dog, now I'll try mine." He called
the dog by his old name and said, " Seize him ! " The dog in-
stantly jumped at the robber and had him by the throat, tearing
open his jugular vein. The dog looked up at Captain Ranney and
whined. The Captain said to him. " You can go home with me.
I'll keep you now if you kill all the sheep in Sheffield." The
dog leaped about in an ecstasy of joy at meeting his old master
again and the permission to return home with him. Captain
Ranney continued on to the next village and reported to the
officers. A posse started at once and found the dead body of the
man near the rock. The next day there was a general turning
out of the men of the village, who made a thorough search of
the woods to find the quarters of the robber. They found the
place about a mile from the road. There were evidences of graves
of several persons, the skeleton of a horse, and a peddler's wagon,
accounting for the mysterious disappearance of a peddler some
months before and also of other persons.
Evidently the man had trained the dog to aid him in killing his
victims.
Captain Ranney continued home the day after his adventure,
taking his dog with him. Great was the joy of the family at
seeing the animal again, and it is not stated that he was ever
again guilty. of killing sheep.
Children :
Lucy, bapt. Aug. 30, 1772; d. Nov. 24, 1803; m. Oct. 10,
1791, Capt. John 6 Smith (Capt. John 5 , Joseph 4 , Rev.
Joseph 3 ). Daughter, Lucy, bapt. July 7, 1793; m. Hon.
Elisha Phelps of Simsbury, Congressman many terms; son,
John Smith Phelps, was Gov. of Missouri. His dau. is
Mrs. J. B. Montgomery of Portland, Oregon. Her son is
Col. Phelps Montgomery of New Haven, Ct. (See the
Phelps Genealogy.)
Oliver, bapt. Apr. 4, 1779 ; d. Nov. 30, 1784.
Luther, bapt. June 3, 1781; m. , , Prudence
. He d. 1835. She m. (2) Noteware.
Oliver, bapt. Sept. 19, 1790; m. , , Chloe ;
d. Sept. 3, 1852, Sheffield, Mass. Had son, Garrett, d.
before 1855. Children:
Lucy Ann, b. ; m. Geo. W. Gorham.
Mary, b. , .
Achsah, b. , ; d. before 1821 ; m. Sylvester Root
of Sheffield, Mass. Children: Lucy, Birdsey, Clarissa, m.
Trowbridge.
178 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
24 Willett 4 Ranney (Willett 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Mar.
28, 1731, Upper Houses; m. Nov. 19, 1752, Upper Houses, Mary
Butler, dau. of Benjamin Butler and Thankful Sage. (See the
Butler and Sage Families.) His father deeded to him the home-
stead of 90 acres and removed to the Roger Gibson place of 4
acres. In 1761 Willett, Jr., sold his homestead to Deacon Solo-
mon Sage and purchased the homestead of his father-in-law, who
had been lost at sea, 1749. In January, 1776, he sold the Butler
homestead to his brother-in-law, Capt. Eli Butler, and rem. to
Sandisfield, Berkshire Co., Western Mass., then just opened to
settlement. His Revolutionary service there was as follows : Pri-
vate in Capt. Samuel Wolcott's Co., Col. Hopkins' Regt., July 16,
1776 — Aug. 5, 1776; marched to Highlands, X. Y. ; private Capt.
Elijah Deming's Co., Col. John Ashley's Regt, July 8, 1777-
July 28, 1777, called out by order Maj. Gen. Schuyler to march
to relief of Fort Edward; private, same Co., Col. John Ashley's
Regt., Sept. 19, 1777-Oct. 4, 1777. under Brig. Gen. Fellows, or-
dered out by Gen. Gates to reinforce the Northern Army. Rem.
1778 to New Lebanon, N. Y., and was next known with his Large
family at Fort Stanwix, now Rome, N. Y.
In the year 1786-7, the settlements of the English ' beyond
German Flatts, the outpost of the Germans on the Mohawk, con-
sisted of three log houses at Utica, seven at Whitesboro, three at
Oriskany and four at Fort Stanwix, now Rome (Jones's Annals of
Oneida Co.). Daniel E. Wager, in his History of Oneida County,
says: "The next settlers in what is now Oneida Co. came from
Connecticut in 1785 or 1786, and located in the shadow of Fort
Stanwix. They were all related to each other by blood, or con-
nected by marriage. Their names were as follows: Willett Ran-
ney, Sr., with a family of eleven children, all grown to maturity,
and the most if not all married; Seth Ranney, one of the sons,
with wife and children, located oortheasl of the present Rome
court house; Nathaniel Gilberl and David 1. Andrus, both of
whom had married in the Ranney family."
Elkanah Watson, famous as the first importer of Merino sheep,
made a trip through this section in 1788, and at Fort Stanwix
wrote in his diary :
" Settlers arc continually pouring in from the Connecticut hive,
which throws oil ita annual swarms of intelligent, industrious and
enterprising emigrants, the best qualified to overcome and civilize
the wilderness. They already estimate 300 brother Yankees on
the muster list, and in a few years hence they will undoubtedly be
able to raise a formidable harrier to oppose the incursion of the
Bavages, in case of another war."
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 179
On Oct. 22, 1784, General Lafayette and others representing
the United States had met the Six Nations at Fort Stanwix and
had made a treaty concerning giving up captives and regulating
boundaries, and while they were willing to treat with the thir-
teen fires they were not willing to treat with the State of New
York.
In 1788, however, a treaty with the State was made at Fort
Stanwix. The " land grabbers " of that day, known as " Lessees,"
were opposed to this lest they should lose the title to their lands
obtained by contracts not authorized by the State, which in 1777
had enacted a statute forbidding the purchase of the fee in the
lands of the Indians, reserving the right to the State alone. It was
a formidable organization, embracing men of wealth and political
importance. Governor Clinton met the whole matter with energy
and promptness and urged upon the Legislature the adoption of
decisive measures to counteract the plans of the " Lessees." In
March, 1788, an act was passed authorizing the Governor to dis-
regard all contracts made with the Indians not sanctioned by the
State, and to cause all persons to be arrested who had entered upon
the Indian lands under such contracts, and to be driven off by
force and the buildings destroyed. A military force was called
out and the orders were strictly obeyed. The time set for the
treaty was September 1, 1788. The " Lessees " planned to meet
the Indians at this time and dissuade them from making a treaty.
The Governor took the field in person, backed by all the official
influence at his command. A sloop came up from New York
with Indian goods, stores for. the expedition, marquees, tents and
specie for the purchase money. Among those who came were
Count Monsbiers, the then French Minister, and the Marchioness
de Biron, his sister, out of curiosity. The commissioners and
the retinue, goods and baggage, going up the Mohawk, started
August 23, in batteaux built expressly for the occasion, and ar-
rived August 28 at Fort Stanwix. A wild and romantic scene
presented itself. The veteran soldier, Governor Clinton, pitched
his marquee and was as much the general as if he had headed a
military expedition. Among the commissioners were William
Floyd, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and his relative,
Ezra L'Hommedieu, late of " Upper Houses " ; of the Indians,
were Skenandoah, who spoke and signed the treaty, and was, at
his death, 110 years of age; Peter Otsequet, whom Lafayette sent
to France to be educated, and Paulus, an Oneida chief. " They
were surrounded by the camp fires of the numerous representa-
tives of the Six Nations, who had been attracted to the spot, some
from interest, some from curiosity; but by far the larger propor-
180 MIDDLETOWN" UPPEE HOUSES
tion of them had been attracted from their scattered wilderness
homes by the hopes and promises of presents, feasts and carousals."
The head men of several of the tribes were holding a counter
meeting at Geneva with the " Lessees," where " firewater " was
flowing freely. It was the 8th of September before the different na-
tions got together, as the result of efforts by Governor Clinton, after
having recovered from their " beastly state of intoxication."
Under these circumstances it is not to be wondered at that Willett
Panney, Sr., was alarmed. The story was told by Mrs. Cushman
of Theresa in a letter to Mr. Wager, in which she wrote:
" I have often heard my grandmother, Mrs. Samuel Jarvis,
daughter of Willett Panney, Sr., tell of her early life at Fort
Stanwix. She was a little girl when her father moved there; she
was born in Middletown, Conn., April 2, 1773. I have often heard
her tell of assisting her mother baking bread at the time of the
treaty with the Indians, at Fort Stanwix, in September, 1788; the
bread was baked at her brother's, Seth Ranney's house, where
many barrels of flour were stored to be baked into bread for the
use of those expected to attend the treaty. The oven was on the
outside of the house; it was a large one and was kept running
night and day in baking bread some days before the treaty. There
was also stored in the barn near by a quantity of liquor, and as
it was feared the Indians might get it and thereby become furi-
ous and massacre the people, Willett Panney, senior, with a few
others went to the barn and poured the liquor on the ground."
Willett Panney, Sr., with eleven children, several of whom were
there with their own eshildren, had a busy time of it, and "lost."
what they must have brought with them, the liquor.
Children:
Chloe, b. Mar. 2, 1753 ; m. Apr. 29, 1770, Nathaniel Gilbert,
captain in Pev. Army. Pern, to Pome, N". Y.
Mary, b. Mar. 2, 1755 ; m. Bill Smith of Conn.
54 dam.-, h. Feb. 27, 1757.
Lucretia, b. Jan. 20, 1759; m. Benj. Murray. Children:
Willett, John, Benjamin, Martha, Eunice, Lucretia.
55 Seth, b. Jan. 21, 1761.
56 Sarah, b. Jan. 2, 1763; m. David I. Andrus.
57 Sybil, b. Jan. 7, 1765; m. (1) Richard Willis, (2) Joseph
White.
Lucy, bapt. Jan. 6, 1767; m. Bradner.
58 Willett, ) b t A 6 m9
Benjamin, ) ] b '
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 181
59 Persis, bapt. Apr. 4, 1773; m. Samuel Jarvis.
60 Butler, b. after Jan., 1776.
25 George 4 Eanney (George 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), bapt. Apr.
14, 1723, East Middletown ; m. Jan. 23, 1745-6, Hannah 4 Sage, b.
Mar. 15, 1724-5, Upper Houses, dau. of John 3 Sage, Jr. (John 2 ,
David 1 ) and Mary Hall. Both were adm. to full communion in
East Middletown Ch. Dec. 7, 1746. Their tombstones are given
herewith. He d. Feb. 25, 1804; she d. June 9, 1797. The three
first born, sons, settled in Ashfield, Mass. Jonathan inherited
the homestead.
Children :
61 George, b. June 9, 1746-7.
62 Thomas, b. July 6, 1749.
63 Francis, b. Apr. 19, 1753.
Hannah, b. May 9, 1755 ; m. Joel Hall. (See the Hall Family.)
64 Mary, b. June — , 1757; m. July 1, 1779, Nathaniel Bos-
worth.
Esther, b. Jan. 8, 1761; d. May 24, 1818, Camden, N. Y.; m.
Apr. 13, 1779, Daniel 6 Parke, a Eev. soldier, b. Apr. 6,
1758, East Middletown, Ct; d. Oct. 6, 1836, Camden,
N. Y. (Joseph 5 , Joseph 4 , Nathaniel 3 , Thomas 2 , Eobert 1 ).
Children: Molly, Clarissa, Sage, Sally, Johnson, Eanney,
Elisha, Fanny, Hannah, Marshall, George, Esther, George
Scribee. Mrs. W. J. Frisbie, Camden, N. Y., is of this line.
Lucy, b. Sept. 6, 1763; m. Jan. 22, 1784, Seth Knowles.
64a Jonathan, b. Sept. 3, 1765.
Abigail, bapt. Sept. 24, 1769; m. Dec. 5, 1790, Asahel 5 Pel-
ton, b. June 17, 1768, d. July 26, 1843 (Joseph 4 , John 3 ,
Samuel 2 , John 1 ), She d. Mar. 12. 1839, Chatham, Ct.
Children :
Anne, b. Jan. 1, 1796; m. Eobert Aiken, lived at Euclid, 0.
Eliza, b. July 1, 1798; m. Wm. Turner.
Eliza Turner m. James Blair ; Charles B. Blair, b. Jan. 3,
1858, m. Emma Covode. Lawyer. Ees. Grand Eapids,
Mich. Children:
Charles C, b. Apr. 12, 1890.
Margaret C- b. Mar. 3, 1892.
John C, b. Apr. 17, 1895.
James, b. Jan. 22, 1897.
Chester, b. July 3, 1802.
Francis, b. Nov. 5, 1804.
Abigail, b. Nov. 28, 1806; m. Augustus Brown.
Lucy Bosworth, b. Mar. 18, 1809; m. John Wilcox. (See
Pelton Genealogy.)
182 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
26 Nathaniel 4 Ranney (Nathaniel 8 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b.
July 16, 1735, Upper Houses; m. Mar. 10, 1757, Prudence Wil-
lard, b. , , dau. of Thomas Willard, who d. Sept.
24, 1803. He inherited his father's homestead. Served in the
French-Indian War and in the Rev. War. In both wars he car-
ried a " wooden bottle " as a canteen for water. It is seen in this
volume and bears his initials and the years he carried it in the
two wars. It was taken to Ohio by his grandson -Comfort and is
now owned by his descendant, Luther Kelsey Ranney of Peninsula,
0. It was exhibited at the 1904 reunion of the Society of Mid-
dletown Upper Houses. Nathaniel Ranney d. May 13, 1800. No
gravestones.
Children:
Thomas Willard, b. Apr. 29, 1758; d. May 3, 1759.
65 Comfort, b. Dec. 19, 1759.
Nathaniel, b. Oct. 26, 1761; d. May 12, 1817.
Prudence, bapt. Aug. 18, 1763 ; m. Bishop.
Rachel, b. Apr. 9, 1765.
Daniel, b. Sept. 14, 1769.
David, b. May 22, 1769 ; in 1812 was in Mifflinburg, Penn.
Alle, b. May 13, 1771.
Hannah, b. Mar. 17, 1773; d. Mar. 30, 1798.
Anne, b. Apr. 27, 1775.
Huldah, b. Aug. 6, 1777; d. Oct. 13, 1804.
Willard, b. July 3, 1779; alive in 1802.
27 Abraham 4 Ranney (Nathaniel 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), bapt.
June 7, 1746, Upper Houses; m. Oct. 16, 1769, Miriam Treat,
dau. of Stephen. He built the house given herewith on the north
part of his father's homestead, given him in the will. He d. Oct.
17, 1775. The widow m. (2) Mar. 20, 1776, Elijah Fellows of
New York. She was descended from Governor Robert Treat. (See
the Treat Genealogy.)
Children :
Lydia, b. June 7, 1770; m. Medad Kceney of New Haven.
Huldah, b. Mar. 9, 1772; d. Aug. 6, 1775.
Luther, b. Mar. 27, 1774; d. , .
28 John 4 Ranney (John 3 , John*, Thomas 1 ), b. Sept. 23, 1731,
Eaal MMdletown; m. Nov. 7. 1754, North Killingly, Ct., Sybil
Wilson. Ee Berved in 1755 with his father in 4th Co., 1st Regt.,
French-Indian War. A John served in 1757, 1758, 1759 and
1760. As his father died in the army in L760, he must have
been the one who died in the army in 1758, when his widow was
appointed adm.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 183
Child:
66 William, bapt. Sept. 14, 1756, East Middletown.
29 Amos 4 Eanney (John 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), bapt. Apr. 22,
1744, East Middletown; m. (1) Eachel Hill, m. (2) Lucy .
He applied June 21, 1820, for a pension, stating that he was then
78 years of age.
" He the said Amos Eanney enlisted for the term of seven
months in the latter part of April, 1775, in the State of Connec-
ticut, in the company commanded by . Captain E. Scott, in the
regiment commanded by Col. Samuel Wyllys, in the line of the
State of Connecticut, on the Continental establishment; that he
continued to serve in the said Corps until the expiration of said
seven months when he was discharged at West Point in the State
of New York: that he enlisted for the term of eight months on
the day of January in the year 1776 in the State of Con-
necticut in the company commanded by Capt. Elijah Blackman in
the Eegiment commanded by Colonel Mead in the line
of the State of Connecticut on the Continental establishment : that
he continued to serve in the said Corps until the day of Sep-
tember, 1776, when he was discharged from the said service in
Horse Neck in the State of Connecticut; that he enlisted for a
cruise on the day of January in the year 1778 in the State
of Connecticut on board of the ship Oliver Cromwell commanded
by Captain Timothy Parker : that he continued to serve in the
said ship for the space of twelve months when he was discharged
therefrom at Charleston in the State of South Carolina: that he
enlisted for the term of nine months on the day of March in
the year 1779 in the State of Connecticut in the company com-
manded by Captain Edward Bulkeley in the Eegiment commanded
by Colonel Samuel Webb in the line of the State of Connecticut
on the Continental establishment: that he continued to serve in
the said Corps until the day of December, 1779, when he was
discharged from the said service in West Point in the State of
New York: that he was in the battles of Bunker Hill, White
Plains & Monmouth; and while on board the said ship Oliver
Cromwell assisted at the capture of the ship Cyrus and the ship
Admiral Keppel in one engagement; and that he has no other
evidence now in his power of his said services, except the annexed
affidavit of Major Eobert Warner."
He further testified that for more than eighteen years last past ,
he had been a " wood cutter " and that by reason of age and in-
184 MIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES
firraity he was unable to labor more than one-fourth of the year:
that his family consisted of one person who steadily resided with
him : who was his wife Lucy, aged 78, and that without a pension
he cannot support himself except by the aid of public or private
charity."
" Schedule of the real and personal estate of Amos Eanney
above named, comprising every article of the same, his necessary
clothing and bedding excepted: to wit:
Value
dols. cts
One ax 1.
Shovel and tongs 25
Four chairs 80
One old table 25
One hammer 06
One small looking glass 50
Six pewter spoons 06
Six knives and forks 10
Four plates and two platters 50
No provisions, except those which
I obtain from day to day.
One water pail 25
$3.77
From Oliver Boardman's Diary on Ship " Oliver Cromwell *"
On 2d cruise. Apr. 15th. " 15th at Day Break we saw two sail
bearing S. E. by S. distance 2 leagues. We gave chase under a
moderate sail at 9 o'clock, P. M. Came up with them. They at
first shew French colors to decoy us when we came in about half
a mile of us she Ups with English colors. We had Continental
colors flying — We engaged the .ship Admiral Keppel as follows.
When we came in about 20 rods of her we gave her a Bow gun.
She soon returned us a stern chase and then a broad side of
grape and rounnd shot. Cap't orders not to lire fill we can Bee the
white of their eyes. We got close under their larboard quarter.
They began {mother broad side & then we began and held tuff
and tuff for about 2 glasses and then she atruck to us. At the
same time the Defense engaged the Cyrus who as the Kepple
struck wore round under our Btern. We wore ship and gave her
a stern chase at which she immediately struck. Tbe loss on our
side was one killed and six wounded, one mortally who soon died.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 185
Our ship was hulled 9 times with six pound shott three of which
went through our Birth, one of which wounded the boatswain's
yeoman. The loss on their side was 2 killed and 6 wounded.
Their larboard quarter was well filled with shot. One nine
pounder went through her main mast.
" May 21st. . sent the prizes northward.
" May 30th Beached Charleston with the Defense, Capt. Smed-
ley. Charleston May ye 30th 1778."
captain's conversation on THIRD CRUISE WITH OLIVER
BOARDMAN
" Charleston July 6, 1778. You have had a hard task of it and
I will consider you. You shall have as much again as you expect.
Eanney & those that leave me without a discharge will never get
anything. You better go aboard, Boardman. I will consider you
and you'll lose nothing by it. Answer, ' I am obliged to you,
Sir/ and so went aboard."
" 3d cruise. Lost masts in storm, reached New London Sept.
6, 1778."
There is no record of the death of himself or wife. And this
patriot without a mark to tell where he is buried deserves the
fullest record for the honor of his name and services. He may be
buried in Hog Hill Cemetery, East Hampton, near his home.
Children by 1st marriage:
Esther, b. Apr. 21, 1770.
Martha, b. Sept. 25, 1772.
John, b. Mar. 23, 1775; m. Beulah Hubbard, b. Chatham.
He d. in Florida. She is buried in Hog Hill Cemetery,
Middle Haddam. Child:
David Seth, b. Aug. 2, 1828; m. (1) June 2, 1850, Phebe
A. Arnold, who d. Oct. 23, 1888. He m. (2) Aug. 1,
1889, Hattie L. Rogers; is in bakery business, Moodus,
Ct. Child:
Mary, b. Apr. 3, 1895.
Amos, b. Mar. 15, 1777.
Timothy, b. July 1, 1781; m. 1802, widow Damaris Gay and
became guardian of her two children. Res. then, Haddam,
Connecticut.
30 Jeremiah 4 Ranney (Richard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Dec. 17,
1730, East Middletown; m. Jan. 31, 1754, Chloe Leete, dau. of
186 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
John Leete. Both adm. to full com. Nov. 6. 1754. He served in
Canadian campaign of 1762. Was taken prisoner. Died in serv-
ice Nov. 3, 1762. Widow m. Thomas Lloyd.
Children:
67 David, b. Dec. 1, 1754.
Rebecca, b. May 22, 1757.
Rhoda, b. Aug. 28, 1758.
31 Elijah 4 Ranney (Richard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Oct. 6,
1735, East Middletown; m. Mar. 2, 1763, Granville, Mass.. Mary
Cook. In 1756 he had purchased land in Granville. In 1773 he
rem. to Blandford, Mass. On Oct. 7, 1789, the estate was dis-
tributed by the probate court. In 1809 the widow had married
Noah Warren. She resided with her son, Deacon Jeremiah, and
her tombstone at Waterville, New York, says : " Marv, wife of
Elijah Ranney died April 1, 1832, aged 88 years."
Children:
Marv, b. Aug. 1, 1763; m. Jonathan Norton.
Sybil, b. July 29, 1765; m. Crane.
68 Jeremiah, b. May 5, 1769.
Elijah, b. , ; rem. to Watervliet, N. Y., where
he was a merchant many years; described, '1794, in Bland-
ford as a goldsmith.
68a Ebenezer, b. May 25, 1776.
69 Rufus, b. , 1780.
Roxana, b. , ; m. 1791, John Lloyd; d. at age
of 99 years 9 mo. Children were Thomas, Leicester and
Roxana.
Eunice, b. , ;. m. Darius Stephens.
32 Stephen 4 Ranney (Richard 8 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Jan. 15,
1737-8, East Middletown ; m. Elizabeth Dixon, b. Feb. 25, 1741,
dan. of Robert Dixon. He served in 1st Regt., Capt. Timothy
Herlihy, 1758, 1759, 1761 and 1762, French-Indian War. Also
in the Rev. War, 1777, 1780, 1781. He d. 1807. The widow d.
Sept. 12, 1836, and the heirs applied June 21), 1S37, for a pen-
sion, which was allowed.
Children :
70 Stephen, bapt. Dec. 4, 1763.
Abigail, bapt. Aug. is, 1765.
Reuben, bapt. Oct. L8, 1 76*3 ; in L831 n was Btated in the ap-
John Jay Hart
(See page 337)
Ransom Eckels
(See page 284)
Harris Guernsey Ranney
(See page 430)
Norton W. Bingham
(See page 367)
i.aki. Eugene Rannei ami Childbed (See page 377)
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 187
plication for a pension that he had gone to N. Y. State some
years previously and had not been heard from for 12 or 15
years. (See Appendix.)
71 Joel, bapt. Oct. 29, 1775.
Elizabeth, b. , ; m. Agift Pease and received
from her mother by will the homestead. (See the Pease
Genealogy.)
33 Abner 4 Eanney (Eichard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Mar. 15,
1747-8, East Middletown; m. (1) Oct. 6, 1778, Blandford, Mass.,
Lovisa Shepard, b. Mar. 24, 1759, dau. of Jonathan Shepard and
Eachel Lankton. He had rem. in 1773 to Blandford and received,
1773, 1776, 1783, deeds of land from Jonathan Shepard, who had
gone from East Middletown. He enlisted Sept. 22, 1776, as 2d
Corp., Capt. Wm. Cooley's Co., Col. John Moseley's Eegt., and
served to Nov. 16. Hq was also sergeant in Capt. Samuel Sloper's
Co., Col. David Moseley's Eegt., June, 1782. He rem. to Au-
gusta, New York, where he died Sept. 1, 1847. " Patriot of a
hundred years, " says his tombstone. His portrait as given here-
with was taken a few months previous to his decease. His wife
d. Dec. 25, 1817. He m. (2) Oct. 21, 1818, Augusta, N. Y.,
Miriam (Shepard) Cook, b. July 4, 1755, d. June 6, 1834, sister
to his first wife.
Children by 1st marriage:
72 Hannah, b. Apr. 9, 1779; m. (1) Henry Knox, (2) Joel
Baker.
73 Lovisa, b. Nov. 18, 1870; m. Samuel Allen.
74 Abner, b. Jan. 14, 1782.
75. Joel, b. Oct. 28, 1783.
76 Oliver, b. Dec. 6, 1785.
Sally, b. Aug. 19, 1789; m. Samuel Newell.
Timothy, b. Feb. 22, 1790; Sunday, Apr. 15, 1810, was read-
ing the Bible alternately with his cousin, Eiley Shepard,
when he was accidentally shot.
77 Wells, b. Sept. 17, 1791.
78 Lyman, b. Dec. 13, 1793.
79 Eli, b. June 27, 1796.
Harvey, b. , ; killed by a fall from a tree.
Anson, b.
34 Fletcher 4 Eanney (Joseph 3 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Apr.
29, 1726, Upper Houses; m. , Elizabeth Powell of Hartford,
through her mother a descendant of Thomas Welles, Governor,
1655-58. His father built for him the house known as the Fletcher
188 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Ranney house, seen herewith, which stood till 1902. He was
a carpenter. He d. Dec. 14, 1772. She d. Jan. 14, 1785. Both
have gravestones.
Children :
80 Joseph, b. Aug. 6, 1751.
Caroline, b. May 27, 1753; m. Nov. 14, 1784, John Hamlin,
son of Capt. Nathaniel Hamlin and Lucretia 4 Ranney. He
was a Rev. soldier. Built the present Wm. F. Ewald house.
He d. Nov. 29, 1834, she d. Aug. 10, 1839.
Rebecca, b. May 3, 1755; d. June 11, 1775.
Elizabeth Welles, b. Jan. 20, 1757; m. Sept. 30, 1779, Epa-
phras Sage, a Rev. soldier. She was pensioned. (See the
Sage Family.)
81 Simeon, b. Nov. 25, 1759.
Lois, b. Nov. 16, 1761 ; m. Nov. 26, 1789, Daniel Arnold, lost
at sea, 1819, aged 54. She was alive in 1839. Children:
Sarah, Daniel and George, bapt. Aug. 21, 1803.
82 William, b. Nov. 14, 1763.
Sarah, b. Jan. 15, 1766 ; d. May 13, 1786.
35 Stephen* Ranney (Joseph 3 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Sept. 18,
1730, Upper Houses; m. Nov. 27, 1752, Middletown or Guilford,
Patience Ward, b. Mar. 25, 1733, Middletown, dan. of Samuel
Ward, b. 1704, and Lucy Rogers, b. 1708. He was a shipbuilder
and rem. to Middletown where he purchased a wharf of Col. Com-
fort Sage. His marriage is recorded in Guilford records. Andrew
Ward, Jr., of Guilford, was Capt. and Lt. Col. of the 4th Reg.
in 1755, French-Indian War, and Stephen Ranney was clerk, Sept.
4-Dec. 8. He built a house on the site of the Green St. school-
house, Middletown. He furnished material for the brig, Minerva,
built by the Colony of Connecticut for the defense of the cause
in Rev. War. He was raised in St. Lodge No. 2, F. A. M., Middle-
town, May 4, 1768. Tn 1784 was warden of Christ Epis. Ch. On
Sept. 17, 1786, he and his wife were confirmed by Bishop Seabury.
Some of his children were baptized on the day of birth, some on
the day after birth. The inventory included bis Masonic leather
apron and gloves, silver knee buckles, 11 silver buttons, gold sleeve-
buttons, a sword, l ? canes, a whip, anil a silver medal. A.1 vendue
seven "old tea spoons" were Bold foT $2.25. The Masonic, 1782,
cane is owned by T. W. Beaumont. He d. Dec. 12, 1803. His
tombstone in Mortimer Cemetery hear- (he Masonic emblems. The
widow d. Dec. 1, 1821. In signing the inventory the two sons
differed. Stephen Rainey and Samuel Ward Ranney is the 'way they
wrote their names.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 189
Children:
83 Stephen, b. Oct. 14, 1753.
Samuel Ward, b. Oct. 23, 1755; d. Nov. 22, 1756.
83a Samuel Ward, b. May 13, 1758.
Lucy, b. Apr. 24, 1762; m. Richard Butler. (See the Butler
Family.)
Daniel, b. Nov. 19, 1764; d. Jan. 13, 1792; m. Sept. 1791,
Martha Southmayd. She m. (2), 1796, Benj. Conklin of
Hartford.
Diana, b. Apr. 15, 1769; d. Sept. 20, 1770.
Patience, b. June 9, 1771; m. Jan. 8, 1791, William Russell,
d. Sept. 22, 1796. He m. (2) July 19, 1798, Sarah
Plumb, dau. of Reuben Plumb and Mary Shepard.
Children :
Harriet Wadsworth, b. Oct. 29, 1791 ; m. Geo. W. Bull.
Ruth Whitmore, b. Sept. 28, 1793 ; d. Oct. 19, 1817.
Patience Ward. b. Aug. 27, 1795 ; d. June 19, 1799.
[Russell Lineage — William 1 Russell came to New Haven with
the Whitfield company; m. 1644, Sarah Davis; d. Jan. 2, 1664-5, se.
fifty-two years and three months.
" Devotes his son Noadiah 2 to God in the way of learning," b.
July 22, 1659, grad. 1681, Harvard, tutor to 1683, kept daily diary.
Supt. of Grammar School at Ipswich, Mass., compiled the " Cam-
bridge Almanack," 1684, first one printed in America. Settled at
Middletown, Oct 24, 1688, one of the founders, 1700, of Yale;
one of the framers of the Saybrook Platform; m. Feb. 20, 1690,
Mary Hamlin, dau. of Capt. Giles. Died Dec. 3, 1713. Wid. d.
at home of son Rev. Wm., Oct. 14, 1743, a3. eighty-one.
Rev. William 3 , b. 1690, grad. 1709, Yale, tutor at Yale two years,
succeeded father as pastor, June 1, 1715, served forty-six years; d.
June, 1761. Son Daniel 4 was pastor at Rocky Hill; son William 4
pastor at Windsor.
Capt. Samuel 4 , b. Middletown, 1730, held many local important
offices ; m. Ruth Wetmore. He d. Mar. 14, 1794 ; she d. 1773.
Capt. William 5 , b. Oct. 1, 1767, Middletown, cabinet maker
(Russell & Barnes), then in carriage business with Nathan Wilcox,
later with his son Jacob in mfr. of hardware. In 1803 rem. to
Danville, 111. - ]
36 Hezekiah 4 Ranney (Joseph 3 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Sept.
1, 1742, Upper Houses; m. (1) Feb. 28, 1765, Lucretia Hartshorn,
b. Mar., 1746, Bristol, R. I.; d. Sept. 5, 1784, dau. of Jacob and
Martha Hartshorn; m. (2) Martha (Edwards) Stocking, b. 1744;
190 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
d. Nov. 14, 1790; widow of Capt. Zebulon Stocking and dau. of
David Edwards and Mary Churchill; m. (3) Mrs. Ann (Wright)
Sage, widow of Giles Sage. His first wife's children were baptized
in the Epis. ch. of lower Middletown, indicating that their mother
belonged to an Episcopal family in R. I., at which time there were
but four Epis. parishes in that State. He was noted as a school-
master. His school report for 1786 gave the name of each head
of a family, the number of days each set of children attended, and
how much wood each family contributed. His grandson, the Rev.
Roderick H. Ranney, in 1873 wrote to the compiler the following:
"He sometimes taught school, as I chanced to learn by an inci-
dent he related to me of having flogged (for using disrespectful
language to an old man as they were taking a sleigh ride past the
house at night) six young men, his pupils, larger than himself; for
in those days the teacher was held responsible for the pupils' con-
duct at all times and all places. The parents heard their sons were
to be flogged the third day and came to see him, saying ' you are
not able to do it and will get flogged yourself.' ' Well, I will try
it.' 'No,' said they, 'we have contrived it for you. We will keep
four of them home all day to-morrow and send two whom you can
flog, and so also on the two succeeding days.' A few days after
having been flogged, two by two, these same young men, feeling the
necessity of progressing faster in their studies, came to him with
the request that he would give them evening lessons ' for a con-
sideration.' " His father had deeded him, who had remained at
home to care for the old folks, the homestead. In 1795 he sold it
and rem. to New Providence, Saratoga Co., N. Y. The grandson,
above named, visited him in 1825 at his home, Edinburg. near
Lansingburg, where he died in 1826. The widow went to live with
her son, Orrin Sage, and is buried in Rochester, N. Y.
Child by 2d marriage:
Joseph, b. Mar. 8, 1766, in Bristol, R. I.; captured by the
British and d. in prison, 1782.
Lucretia, b. Jan. 11, 1769; m. Johnson. Child:
Julia ; m. Leake
84 Charles, b. Oct. 4. 1771.
85 BezeMah, b. .Inn. 17, 17"3 l.
Charlotte, b. Feb. 22, 1776; m, Eli Judson. Child: David,
Abigail, b. Mar. 30, 1778; in. Leonard Baker, dau. Harriet, d.
1880; m. Rogers.
86 Roderick, b. Mar. 24, 1780.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 191
Child by 2d marriage:
87 David Stocking, b. Apr. 22, 1787.
Children by 3d marriage:
88 Horatio Gates, b. Dec. 25, 1799.
88a Sylvester, b. Aug. 2, 1802.
Martha, b. ; m. Bennett. Children: Solon S.,
Charles E.
Mary, b. ; m. Orizam Corbin. He d. abt. 1835. She
d. in Cleveland.
37 Lucretia 4 Ranney (Daniel 3 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Mar. 12,
1737-8, Upper Houses; m. May 16, 1753, Capt. Nathaniel 4 Ham-
lin, b. May 29, 1732, son of Capt. Richard Hamlin 3 and Martha
Smith, dau. of the Rev. Joseph 3 Smith, first pastor at Upper
Houses. Capt. Richard Hamlin 3 , b. May 17, 1693, was the son
of William 2 Hamlin and Susannah Collins, b. Nov. 26, 1669, dau.
of the Rev. Nathaniel Collins and Mary Whiting of Middletown.
William 2 Hamlin was the son of Giles 1 Hamlin and Hester 2
Crow, dau. of John 1 Crow of Hartford. Giles Hamlin was a dis-
tinguished mariner. His epitaph says he was " near fifty years
crossing the ocean wide."
Capt. Nathaniel Hamlin was app. Oct., 1770, Captain 10th Co.,
6th Regt. Militia; resided in Newfield Street and d. 1778.
Children:
89 Daniel Ranney, b. July 23, 1755.
John, b. Jan. 7, 1757 ; m. Nov. 14, .1784, Caroline 5 Ranney
(Fletcher 4 ). A Rev. soldier, buried in Cromwell.
90 Esther, b. July 10, 1759 ; m. Abner Hubbard.
91 Mary, b. 1760; m. Benj. Gilbert.
Martha, b. Mar. 29, 1761; m. Oct. 3, 1782, Daniel Eells. (See
The Eells Family.)
Lucretia, b. May 3, 1763; m. Samuel Cotton.
38 Jonathan 4 Ranney (Jonathan 3 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), bapt.
May 20, 1744, Upper Houses; m. Nov. 25, 1773, New Haven, Ct.,
Hannah Tiley or Tilley of Saybrook, Ct., b. 1753. He was a boy
when his father rem. to Guilford; was a hatter, and had an estab-
lishment in New Haven and later in Middletown, Ct, where he d.
July 16, 1828. She brought a letter, 1791, from the 2d Church
of Saybrook, now Essex, to the 1st Church of Middletown, where
she d. May 24, 1838. Her father after a few years owned the Rev.
Joseph Smith house, sold it, 1746, and rem. to Saybrook, now
Essex, Conn.
193 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Children :
Thomas Tiley, b. June 22, 1777, d. Jan. 15, 1796.
92 William, b. Nov. 30, 1783.
Sally, b. ; m. Jan. 10, 1802, Joshua Cone. Child:
Chloe, b. 1808, d. 1880, East Haddam.
Hannah, b. 1787; d. Jan. 9, 1844.
Phineas, b. ; d. unm. abt. 1860, Middletown.
39 Ebenezer 4 Ranney (Ebenezer 3 , Ebenezer 2 , Thomas 1 ), bapt.
jQ Apr. 24, 1748, Upper Houses;
/0 m - Nov. 30 > 1769 ' Newington
fj/O (lTstfr7/ / Church, Lois 4 Blinn, b. Mav
LOtTZf 517* ^^V 13 - 1745 > Newington Society
/7 , / of Wethersfield, Conn. He in-
" IS herited the original Ranney
homestead and built on the north part a house for his son James.
He served in the Rev. War. A bronze marker of the S. A. R. is at
his grave. He d. Oct. 7, 1822. She d. Oct. 24, 1831.
Children:
Ruth, bapt. Mar. 3, 1771 ; m. Mar. 31, 1790, Capt. John White.
(See The White Family.)
Lois, bapt. Mar. 7, 1773; d. unm. Dec. 28, 1861, was the
tailoress of the village, cared for her mother and brother
Eben. After 1847 she resided with her nephew James Ran-
ney. Read always, but never used glasses.
93 Margaret, b. Dec. 23, 1775.
Elisha, bapt. Jan. 3, 1779 ; d. Oct. 23, 1780.
Ebenezer, bapt. Dec. 24, 1780; d. unm. Aug. 16, 1845.
94 James, bapt. Nov. 10, 1782.
Vester, bapt. Aug. 28, 1785.
[Blinn Lineage — Peter 1 Blinn of Wethersfield was a carpenter;
m. Johanna . Plis will is dated Mar. \?. 1725, " age eighty-
tout- years being in health of bodv."
William 2 Blinn, b. 1675; m. Nov. 13, 1701, Anna 2 Ooultman, b.
Mar. 11, 1679 ; d. Oct. 17, 1724, dau. of John 1 Coultman, a settler
of \\ 'I'thersfield, who was the son of Thomas Coultman, of Newton,
Harcoate, Weston, Leicestershire, England.
Peter 3 Blinn, b. Feb. 4, 1713; d. Mar. 7, 1793; m. Mar. 10, 1731.
Martha Collins, b. July 9, 1709, dau. of Samuel and Martha
Collins.
Lois* Blinn of Kensington Society, Wethersfield. was horn Mav
13, 1745.]
FIFTH GENEEATION
40 Dr. Thomas Stow 5 Eanney (Jeremiah 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 ,
^_ > ^ Thomas 1 ), b. May 10,
C7t r> y nj 1744 > Upper Houses; m.
yhc"* C/ y/a-^ >^— 7 (1) Feb. 23, 1780, Brent-
J$£- wood, N. H., Hannah
/J Hook, b. 1757, d. July 9,
<-S , 1796, Brentwood; m. (2)
Jan. 3, 1798, Brentwood, Hannah Hook, probably of the
same family as that of his first wife. He rem. with his parents
to Bethlehem, Litchfield Co., Ct. A Thomas Eanney served from
Litchfield Co., Mar. 23-Dec. 3, 1762, in the French-Indian War.
He rem. to Brentwood, N. H., and about 1810 he rem. to New-
port, Maine, where he died. He was a physician. Was town clerk
many years in Brentwood.
Children:
95 Moses, b. May 14, 1799.
96 Hannah, b. Sept. 4, 1801 ; m. Samuel Stetson.
97 Thomas Stow, b. Dec. 7, 1810.
41 Nathan 5 Eanney (Jeremiah 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ),
b. June 20, 1751, Upper Houses; m. (1) Euth Cole; b. ; d.
, 1816, Whitehall, N. Y.; m. (2) 1819, widow of Charles
McArthur of Scotch Hill; d. 1819. He rem with his parents to
Bethlehem, Conn.; in 1804 to Whitehall, N. Y.; in 1817 to Fair
Haven, Vt., residing on Scotch Hill, where he d. Jan. 12, 1831.
Children:
Phebe, b. ; m. (1) Abel Foster; m. (2) Aaron Smith
of Whitehall, N. Y.
Thomas Stow, b. ; m. Mary Martin of Enosburg;
kept tavern in Whitehall ; rem. 1823 to Enosburg, where he
died, 1834; widow m. Burleigh Davis; her family rem. to
Fair Haven, Vt. Children: Mary, Oliver Perry. Helen,
Edwin, Althea, Nathaniel, Betsey. (See Appendix.)
Euth, b. 1790; d. June, 1866, Whitehall, N. Y.
Martha, b. Aug. 23, 1793 ; m. Jan. 16, 1818, Levi Eeed, rem. to
193
194 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Fair Haven, Vt, where she d. Apr., 1869. Children: Fay-
ette, Nathan Eannev, Helen, Edgar. (See Appendix.)
Elizabeth, b. ; d. 1868, Whitehall, N. Y.
98 Nathan, b. Apr. 27, 1797.
Philena, b. ; m. Salmon Norton, Jr., rem. to Mar-
cellus, N. Y., where he d. She rem. to Angelica, N. Y.,
then to Morenci, Mich. Children: Mary and Ellen.
99 Nathaniel Cole, b.
100 Caleb Barnes, b. 1807.
42 Solomon 5 Eanney (Jeremiah 4 , Thomas 3 . Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ),
b. 1756, Bethlehem, Ct., m. Eebecca Churchill, b. July 20, 1764,
Bethlehem, Ct. (Jonathan 3 , Joseph 2 , Josiah 1 , of "Wethersfield, Ct.
See Churchill Genealogy.) Served in the Bev. War as per
app. for pension dated May 4, 1818, from May 1, 1775, nine
months; from Aug., 1776, three months; from May, 1778, nine
months. He also served in 1782 as per Vol. 8, Conn. Hist. Soc.
Eolls. He rem. before 1818 to Kortright, N. Y., where he died.
Children:
101 Martha Patty, b. Apr. 15, 1786.
A daughter, b. ; m. Mark Morris, rem. to Nelson, O.,
where they died. Had one daughter.
43 Stephen 5 Eanney (Jeremiah 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ),
b. May 24, 1761, Bethlehem, Conn.; m. (1) Apr. 15, 1785, Litch-
field, Conn., Margery Camp, b. Aug. 17, 1763, Bethlehem. Conn.;
d. May, 1792, Litchfield, Conn.; m. (2) May, 1795, Ehoda Lang-
don, b ; d. 1802; m. (3) 1804, Hannah Cooper,
b. ; d. Jan. 11, 1811; m. (4) Oct. 11, 1812, Salem, Mass.,
Elizabeth Hathorne, b. ; d. Aug. 11, 1822. He died 1827,
Jackson, Mo.
It is a family tradition that when a boy he was bound out io
a deacon, and one of his duties was to feed the swine. The deacon
threatened to thrash him, and (hi 1 boy, preferring Io avoid a con-
test, i nidged a number of miles to where General Greene was re-
cruiting, nml enlisted. The official record of his service as given
by the Wax Department follows:
"Enlisted June 12, l"~t; and discharged Jan. 1, 1777, being a
member of Capt. Jonathan Johnson's Company, Col. Phillip B.
Bradley's Regiment, Connecticut Forces.
" He enlisted May "i, 1777, for the war, in Capt. Samuel Mat-
lock's Company, 8th Connecticut Regiment, which had various
commanders; transferred January, 1781, to Captain Benton's Com-
Stephen Ranney
(See page 194)
William Caton Ranney
(See page 23S)
John Hathorne Ranney
(See page 239)
Oliver Uanney
(See page 241)
rHOMAS STOW2 RaNNETJ \ I B2
(See page 242)
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 195
pany, also designated the 7th Company, 5th Connecticut Regiment,
commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Sherman; appointed cor-
poral June 1. 1781, transferred August 1, 1872, to Light Infantry
Company, same regiment, and transferred November 1, 1782, to the
5th Company, 1st Connecticut regiment, commanded by Colonel
Zebulon Butler. His name is last found on the muster roll of the
company for the month of April, 1783, dated May 27, 1783, which
shows him on furlough."
He was in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Mud Island,
Red Bank and others. At Monmouth he received wounds in the
leg and hand during the conflict which took place between the
British and that part of General Lee's corps which, in pursuance
of their order, checked the enemy's advance, and gave time for
the American reserve under General Washington to form. For his
gallantry in that memorable affair he was presented with a sword
by Lafayette.
When a war between France and the United States was expected
he applied for a • commission, reciting his services in the Revolu-
tionary War, and stating that he had conducted a military school
in Litchfield, Conn. He was appointed a captain of the 13th
United States Infantry, February 13, 1799, and was honorably dis-
charged June 15, 1800.
In the political excitement which soon occupied the public at-
tention, Selleck Osborn, editor of The Witness, a Democratic organ,
was thrown into prison for the offense of having unduly criticised
his Federal opponents. This attack on the liberty of the press
aroused the Democrats of Litchfield County. There was a monster
meeting held on July 4, 1806, when it was decided to have a demon-
stration on Aug. 6. For this gathering Democrats came from all
over the county. Cannon were fired at sunrise, and bands rendered
martial music. Major Ranney was chief marshal of the parade.
When they reached the jail, all bowed in saluting Mr. Osborn. A
meeting was then held in the Congregational Church.
The following letter explains itself :
Litchfield May 23 - 1808
Sir
I have served in the Army through the Revolutionary War,
two years of which time I did the duty of a drill-sergeant. After
the war was concluded I commanded a company of militia in
this town and was promoted to the rank of major in the militia,
which office I resigned and accepted a captaincy in the late Army
raised under President Adams' administration I have since
196 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
taught a military school in this town. I am now desirous of
obtaining the appointment of major, in the Army to be raised,
Should there be no field officer allotted to the State of Connec-
ticut, I will accept that of a captain, on the presumption that
my pretention to rank will give me the first captaincy.
I have the honnor to be, sir, with due submission,
Your humble servant
Stephen Ranney.
Hon a Henry Dearbon Esqr
Secretary of War.
He was appointed a captain in the 4th United States Infantry,
June 18, 1808 ; promoted major of the same regiment January 20,
1813; lieutenant colonel, same regiment, May 15, 1814; honorably
discharged on the reduction of the Army, June 15, 1815.
It is a family tradition that when Hull surrendered Detroit
Col. Ranney was away on a foraging expedition with orders to drive
the Indians back. On his return, finding that Hull had surren-
dered, he and his command cut their way through and escaped to
the east. He was a principal witness against TTull in his trial later.
George Ranney, a brother of Stephen, was killed at Stony Point.
Another brother, Solomon, served through the war. A son, John-
son, probably named after Captain Johnson, under whom he first
served, was commissioned Lieutenant in 1812 and continued in the
4th Reg. under his father till the army disbanded in 1815.
Colonel Ranney's son, William Caton, having been born at White-
hall, N. Y., it is probable that his family was domiciled there with
his brother Nathan who had removed from Bethlehem. By 1818
he had become a resident of Indiana where his next son was born.
He was appointed Adjutant General of Indiana by Governor Hen-
dricks, and served from Dec. 5, 1822 to Sept. 3, 1823. He then
removed to Jackson, Mo., where his son, Johnson, had been settled
as a lawyer for some years. His death occurred in 1827 and he was
buried with Masonic and military honors.
Children by 1st marriage:
102 Jeremiah, b. Jan. 20, 1786, Bethlehem, Conn.
Mary, b. Dec. 21, 1787, Bethlehem, Conn.
1":; Johnson, b. Dec. 19, 1789, Litchfield. Conn.
Stephen, b. Feb., 1792; d. 1794.
Children by 2d marriage:
Margery, b. Apr., 1797.
Reuel, b. Oct., 1798.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 197
Norman, b.
Stephen, Jr., b. June, 1805.
Khoda, b. Sept. 25, 1807.
Eliza, b. Sept. 30, 1809.
104 Hannah Cooper, b. Jan. 11, 1811.
Children by 3d marriage:
Julius Augustus, b. Aug. 22, 1813; d. Nov. 16, 1813.
105 William Caton, b. Feb. 20, 1815, Whitehall, N. Y.
106 John Hathorne, b. Feb. 5, 1818, Charleston, Ind.
Benj. Herbert, b. Mar. 27, 1821 ; d. Nov. 19, 1821.
44 Julius 5 Eanney (Jeremiah*, Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 Thomas 1 ).
b. 1765, Bethlehem, Ct.; m. , Jerusha Butler, b. 1768, dau.
of Silas 5 Butler (Malachi 4 , John 3 , John 2 , Nicholas 1 ) and Jerusha 5
Spencer, (Eldad 4 , Desbrough 3 , Obadiah 2 , Thomas 1 of Hartford).
She built a Cong. Ch. in Danby, N. Y., where she died Mar. 26,
1844. He was a blacksmith and d. July 12, 1802, Bethlehem, Ct.
Children :
Lucy, b. Sept. 15, 1788; d. May 18, 1794.
107 Polly, b. Sept. 14, 1790; m. Hiram Hawes.
Julius, b. Aug. 24, 1792; m. (1) Hannah Dakin, (2) Almira
Potter. He was captured in War of 1812, and suffered much.
Wanted to go to France and enlist under Napoleon to get even
with England; d. Jan. 29, 1852, Dexter, Mich. No children.
108 Lucy, b. July 18, 1794; m. Eev. Urban Palmer.
109 Oliver, b. Sept. 19, 1796.
Susan, b. Feb. 28. 1799; m. James Sturges.
Thomas Stow, b. Aug. 22, 1802.
William 5 Eanney (Thomas 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ),
b. Sept. 18, 1753, Upper
Houses; m. May 13, 1779,
psvi >i C/ Westminster, Vt., Lydia Ean-
ney, his first cousin, b. Apr. 18,
1759, Haddam, Conn., d. June
11, 1825, Westminster West,
Vt., dau. of Ephraim Eanney and Silence Wilcox. He served in
the Eev. War from Upper Houses, and went to Hartford, Vt., 1777,
where he served for a few months. His pension for services from
Connecticut was granted Mar. 4, 1731, when he was nearly 80 years
of age. He was a deacon of the church in Westminster West, of
which his cousin Elijah was the first deacon. He died Feb. 17,
1737. Stone in W. W. churchyard.
A
dr
198 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Children:
Thomas, b. Oct. 2, 1781; d. July 10, 1817; unm.
111 William, b. June 5, 1781.
Elizabeth Wilcox, b. June 19, 1788 ; d. Nov. 10, 1821 ; unm.
Silence Wilcox, b. Apr. 9, 1791; m. Nov. 15, 1815, John
Norton.
112 Stephen, b. Apr. 28, 1793.
Achsah, b. Feb. 27, 1796; d. Jan. 21, 1816; unm.
46 Ephraim 6 Ranney (Ephraim*, Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Oct. 27, 1748, Upper Houses; m. (1) Dec, 1770,
Westminster, Vt, Lydia Johnson, b. 1751, d. Feb. 13, 1787; m.
(2) Oct. 10, 1790, Rhoda Harlow, b. 1770, d. Sept. 20, 1850, dau.
of Eleazar Harlow. He d. May 30, 1835. Ephraim Ranney and
other children in 1812 signed an agreement as to the distribution
of property and their autographs are copied from that agreement.
He was" a stalwart man and helped to clear up much land on
the bank of the Conn. River, and then was one of the first to
cross the ridge and make a settlement in Westminster West. Rev.
A. Stevens in his history says:
" Ephraim Ranney, Jr., David Heaton and Jotham Holt, about
-^ * the year 1768, made an
^ / \, t9i^~^^~^^3^°\ opening in the forest on the
^/ ) farm near the present site
/ of the church. They were
young men, and for some time messed together in a log-house built
by Ranney, a few feet south of the house now occupied by Hon. Wil-
liam B. Cutting (1885). They made their own porridge and ate out
of a common dish. Mr. Heaton was a passionate man. and when in-
sulted would leave the house. When the porridge was a little
short of their wants Ranney and Holt had only to insult their
messmate, and they had the dish all to themselves. This state of
things did not long continue. Mr. Ranney brought to the log-
house, in L770, a wife, and never hud any wish, afterwards, to be
left alone at the table." He served in the Revolutionary War.
He was a captain of militia, a justice of (he peace and an inn-
keeper. In 1S05 there was built an inn which is now occupied by
Deacon Arthur Patterson Ranney, who is seen sitting on the ver-
anda. About the year 1813 it became the property of Ephraim
Ranney. dr.. who kept a store as well as an inn their.
" A remnant of his account hook for 1815 shows that the good
people of (lie parish were none too temperate. The following is
a specimen account, ' Dr. to l glass toddy, to 2 toddy, to 3 to
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 199
The debtor got drunk, and mistook his door, and fell down in the
pantry, and pulled down after him two pans of milk, and a pan
of lard yet warm from the kettle. He was now ready to make his
mark in the world. It was training day and he was too noisy and
a little too drunk to be respectable. The captain, Ephraim Ean-
ney, Jr., his neighbor by the way, undertook to get him out of the
way. Having exhausted his patience in flattery, and ignorant of
the condition of affairs in his pantry, he came to a close hug with
the tipsy man, and by a hard struggle shut him up in the barn,
when, lo and behold, the captain found his buff pants and vest
unfit for a captain to wear during the parade and drill of the
day."
The original Ephraim Eanney farm is now the home of his de-
scendant, Miss Mary Eanney Cutting, having descended by in-
heritance.
Children by 1st marriage:
113 Ephraim, b. June 25, 1771.
114 Lydia, b. Sept. 28, 1772, d. 1858; m. Dea. Ebenezer Good-
hue.
115 Eebecca, b. Dec. 27, 1777, d. 1841; m. Gideon Warner.
116 Calvin, b. Nov. 5, 1784.
Children by 2d marriage:
117 Hiram, b. June 4, 1792.
Peyton, b. Dec. 1, 1799 ; d. May 28, 1813.
118 Grant Willis, b. Mar. 23, 1804.
';*X ^^^
47 Elijah 5 Eanney (Ephraim 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ),
b. Mar. 14, 1750-1; m. (1) Nov.
10, 1771, Elizabeth Eoot, d. Apr.
12, 1822, aged 82 ; m. (2) July
2, 1822, Tryphena Hitchcock,
widow of Heli Hitchcock, d. Mar. 27, 1838. He rem. with
his parents, 1761, to Westminster, Vt. In 1771 he made a settle-
ment in the south part of Westminster West on the farm now
owned and occupied by his grandson, Henry Porteus Eanney.
Like his elder brother, he was tall and stalwart. He served in
the Eev. War and in 1783 was a member of the Legislature.
Prayer meetings were held and sermons read for years before a
church was organized. The first meeting called to consult for the
support of the Gospel among themselves was held Jan. 10, 1789,
and was " called by Elijah Eanney on petition of the inhabitants
of the parish." It was voted " that allowance be made to Ephraim
200 MIDDLETOWN" UPPER HOUSES
Wilcox for money he had paid to Mr. Bullen for preaching,
to be credited to him on the collection bill, to the amount of
$11.00." Ephraim Wilcox, his mother's brother, had gone from
East Middletown. Elijah Eanney was the first deacon in West-
minster West, as his father had been first deacon in Westminster
parish. The church was erected in 1792. " It was a high, two-
story building fronting on the east; a front door, and one on each
side. It was painted white; without a steeple or cupola even;
square pews, with high backs; gallery on three sides, filled with
young folks every Sabbath, closely watched by a man appointed
for that purpose; a moderately high pulpit, a deacons' seat in
front of it, occupied, rain or shine, every Sabbath, by the deacons."
— (Stevens' History.)
The first saw-mill was built by Deacon Elijah. He d. Apr. 29,
1833, aged 83.
Children :
119 Elijah, b. Sept. 15, 1773.
120 Joseph, b. Dec. 25, 1779.
121 Elizabeth, b. , ; m. Levi Harlow.
Silence, b. , ; m. Wainwright Witt and rem.
to Elyria, O.
48 Daniel 5 Ranney (Ephraim 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ),
b. Feb. 5,- 1753, Upper Houses, removed 1761 with his father to
Westminster, Vt.; m. Oct. 27, 1779, Chester, Vt., Eunice Gile,
b. Oct. 27, 1762, Chester, Vt. ; d. Mar. 21, 1852, Stockbridge,
Vt. He d. Jan. 5, 1833, and is buried in " Ranney Cemetery,"
Stockbridge, Vt. Moses, the son of Daniel, wrote the following,
in substance:
" Moses lived with his grandfather, Ephraim, till thirteen years
of age and then returned to his
father who had removed from f*o ^ /?
Chester to Stockbridge, Vt. y <^y-vL^C
Daniel was a recruiting officer
for eighteen months. He en-
listed to go and defend Ticondcroga but this place was captured
before his arrival. His superior officer was ('apt. Whitney of the
militia rangers, which company disbanded in about a year and a
half after its organization. Daniel removed to Chester, where
Daniel, Jr., and Esther were born, and then to South Hill, Stock-
In idge, Vt. Here were born Lucinda, Roswell and Joel. The chief
officer of the regimen! to which Daniel belonged was Col. Townseml
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 201
— Capt. Whitney was from Westminster and drew a pension on
the testimony of Daniel.
" Daniel was an orderly sergeant and spent three days in the
week at Westminster drilling the soldiers. He was at the battle
of Bennington and was saved from being taken prisoner by Col.
Ben. Fellows. At Ticonderoga Capt. George Earl of Chester was
his Captain. Daniel was afterwards a Lieut, in the militia when
called out, but drew no pension because he had some property."
Daniel died in Stockbridge, Vt.
Children :
122 Daniel, b. Apr. 14, 1781.
123 Moses, b. Mar. 28, 1783.
Eunice, b. Dec. 12, 1784.
124 Mary, b. July 26, 1791; m. Jonathan Holland.
Esther, b. Dec. 30, 1793 ; m. Jan. 24, 1816, Lester Lincoln.
Lucinda, b. May 8, 1799.
Eoswell, b. June 10, 1801 ; d. Aug. 4, 1803.
125 Joel, b. June 9, 1805.
49 Waitstill 5 Eanney (Ephraim 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Jan. 3, 1762, West-
^^^Kv^y minster, Vt.; m. 1785, Abigail
y& Harlow, b. ■ — , d.
* , , dau. of Eleazar
Harlow of Taunton, Mass., and Ehoda Alexander of Northfield,
Mass. He rem. to Chester, Vt., held many local offices, purchased
a tract of 1,000 acres 3 miles from the center, mortgaged it and
became embarrassed. When the elder son became of age he as-
sumed the farm and the mortgage, agreeing to support through
life his parents, and to pay his brother, Waitstill Eandolph, then
16 years of age, one thousand dollars, as he might need, if he
would seek a learned profession. The enterprise failing, the elder
son removed with his parents to Westport, N. Y., where Waitstill
died July 3, 1839. He served in the Eev. War.
In a letter written in 1879 by a grandson is this description of
Waitstill Eanney : " I remember but little of him. I knew him
when I was quite small and remember only one incident about him.
That has been fixed in my mind. He visited my father in Towns-
hend when it was customary at family worship to stand up behind
the old kitchen chair and pray, and he, being addicted to tobacco
chewing, never took out his cud. So during his long prayer he
had to stop several times before he got to the " Jews " to step to
the old fireplace and spit. His career in life was fraught with
202 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
hardship, with many ups and downs, and yet he finally died at a
good old age. The features of his good wife I cannot recall. But
I remember her as a very clever old lady that once amused us
boys by saying once when she came to visit us that she ' came in
the mail,' meaning stage."
Children :
Eleazar Harlow, b. Apr. 27, 1786; d. Apr. 5, 1862, Westport.
N. Y. Children: Sarah, Caroline, Esther.
126 Waitstill Randolph, b. May 23, 1791.
Abigail, b. Aug. 21, 1796; d. May 26, 1873; m.
Rogers.
Amarylla, b. ; d. Feb. 22, 1811; m. David
Chandler.
Sophia, b. Oct. 1, 1797; m. Kellogg.
50 Esther 5 Ranney (Ephraim 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ).
_^ b. July 28, 1764, Westminster, Vt.;
AJ^iSf€^) m - 0ct - 8 > 1786 « Westminster, Vt.,
^' Seth Arnold, b. Sept. 3, 1747, Had-
dam, Ct. She d. July 11, 1841;
he d. July 6, 1849. Seth Arnold was a descendant of Joseph
Arnold, one of the Hartford men who in 1662 settled Haddam,
Ct. His homestead in Haddam. Ct., was opposite the cemetery,
and he owned the land between the cemetery and the Connecticut
River, and it is now the property of Judge E. P. Arnold. Seth
Arnold had a hard experience in the Revolutionary Army: served
three years, was twice taken prisoner, on prison ship nine months.
In 1780 he removed to Westminster. His pension was granted
Mar. 4, 1831. It will be seen that he lived to be 102 years of age.
He made a public profession of religion at 89, and dressed himself
the day he died. Her autograph of 1812 is given herewith.
Children:
127 Seth Shailor, b. Feb. 22, 1788.
128 Ambrose Tyler, b. Nov. 19, 1790.
Esther, b. Sept. 3, L792; m. (1) John F. Hills; m. (2)
Benjamin Smith.
129 Joel Ranney, b. Apr. 25, 1794.
Phebe, b. Jan. 29, 1798; m. Isaac Holton.
Olivia, b. Oct. 31, 1800; d. July 1, 1812.
Abigail, b. Nov. 17, 1804; d. unm., 1869.
51 Janna" Ranney (Ephraim*, Thomas 8 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ),
b. June II. L766, Westminster, Vt.; m. June, 1789, Westminster,
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 203
Vt., Phebe Phelps, b. July 25, 17G8; d. Jan. 1, 1842. His whole
life was passed on the homestead his father took up in 1761. As
he d. Aug. 18, 1794, his son's signature is given to a deed of set-
tlement of his father's estate in 1812, when all the children except
two signed the paper from which the autographs are taken.
Children:
130 James, b. Apr. 20, 1790.
Orange, b. Feb. 4, 1793; d. Sept. 9, 1823, New Orleans; m.
Elizabeth E. Jacobs.
Janna, b. Aug. 18, 1794; m. Hannah Latham. He left
Dec, 1818, for New Orleans, where he died. Child:
John Latham, b. Aug. 5, 1817; m. 1840, Almeda Dyer
Phelps in Canada.
52 Joel 5 Ranney (Ephraim 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ),
^ y sy b. Mar. 2, 1768, Westminster,
7^-«/ ^^^^yv^yy-^y Vt. ; m. Rebecca Arnold, b.
/ sf 1771 ; d. Jan. 27, 1844. He d.
" Mar. 25, 1840, Westminster.
They adopted Priscilla Farnham, who m. Joseph 6 Ranney.
53 Benjamin 5 Rannev (Ephraim 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Sept. 18, 1770,
Westminster, Vt. ; m. June 26,
*)z<ri-/£x***+y^ / rf'f A s V *s+^& 1796, Westminster, Martha
& <y Cy Gill, b. Mar. 1, 1768; d. Aug.
15, 1844. He d. May 8, 1824.
Children :
Silence, b. May 26, 1797; m. Allen Wells. This line has the
familv Bible of Ephraim 4 .
Ira Allen, b. Mar. 28, 1799; d. July 17, 1843, Plattsburg,
N. Y.
Angeline, b. Feb. 13, 1801 ; m. Aaron R. Chase.
Elmerina, b. Apr. 3, 1802 ; d. Jan. 29, 1804.
Elmerina, b. Aug. 17, 1805; m. Nathaniel Nutting.
' Agnes Stella, b. Apr. 26, 1808; d. Feb. 26, 1896.
54 James 5 Ranney (Willett 4 , AVillett 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b.
Feb. 27, 1757, Upper Houses, followed bis father to Mass., Le-
banon, N. Y., and to Fort Stanwix; m. ; rem., 1806,
to Adams, N. Y. He died about 1822, at the fesidence of his
204 MIDDLKTOWN UPPER HOUSES
brother Willett, leaving Benjamin, ftfarinus, Gibbs, Orrin, Mary
and Martha, most of whom, it is said, rem. to Canada.
55 Seth 5 Ranney (Willett 4 , Willett 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ),
b. Jan. 21, 1761, Upper Houses, rem. with his father, 1776, to
Sandisfiekl, .Mass., thence to New Lebanon, N. Y., and by 1786-7
was at Fort Stanwix, now Rome, N". Y. He must have married
before then Eleanor Matthews who d. Mar. 12, 1813, aged 50
years. He erected the first two-story frame house in Home, and
in 1792 it was used as a tavern by John Barnard, and in 1793
the first store was opened in it. In this year he was one of the
15 charter members of a Masonic lodge organized and located in
the township of Paris — the first Lodge in central New York. He
was known as " Capt." Seth Ranney, having served in the War of
1812. He resided a few years in Canada, returned to Ogdensburg,
and had a farm on the St. Lawrence and kept a hotel.
Children:
George, b. 1780; m. 3 times; no children; d. May 27, 1860.
Lois, b. ; m. Sylvester Gilbert of Ogdensburg. Child:
Wm. W. Gilbert.
Betsy, b. ; m. .lames Chambers; rem. to North Caro-
lina.
Belinda, b. Dec. 6, 1791; m. Henry Lum ; 9 children.
Clarissa, b. ; m. (1) David Lum, (2) Josiah Perry.
56 Sarah 5 Ranney (Willett 4 , Willett 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ),
b. Jan. 2, 1763, Upper Houses; m. David I. Andrus. The Rev.
Samuel Eells, referred to in the appended sketch taken from the
Jefferson County Journal of Sept. 6, 1898, was born in Upper
Houses. (See the Eells family chapter.)
David Ira Andrus was born in L766 m the Btate of Conn., the
family of English descent. Ee enlisted as a soldier in the Revo-
lutionary War, .January 1, 1781, to serve as a lifer in (he 6th
Company, 1th Conn. h'e-imeni. commanded by Col. Zehulon But-
ler; was transferred to Captain Robertson's company, 2d Conn.
Regiment, commanded by Col. Heman Swift, November 1, 1782;
served a- private March 1, L783, and his mime appears on the
rolls to May 26, L783. Mr. Andrus aboul the war L789 went to
what now comprises Oneida county. N. Y.. to make his home, his
outfit for commencing life in the new country being an as he
carried vrith him. About tin- time he was married to Sally
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 205
Ranney, also of a Connecticut family. Eight children were born
to them: George, Lydia, Fanny, Almira, Chauncey, Ira, Sally
and Samuel. Samuel died at the age of 14 years. A baptismal
certificate given by Eev. Samuel Eells, pastor of the Second
Church of Christ in Branford, Conn., dated_ at Steuben, N. Y.,
Sept. 9th, 1793, reads: "These certify that David Andrews [An-
drus] and Sally, his wife, entered into covenant with God and
took their baptismal obligations upon themselves, and had their
children baptized by the names of George, Lydia and Fanny."
In 1790 Mr. Andrus leased and lived on a farm of 138 acres in
Wright Settlement, near Rome, and in 1804 carried on a meat
shop in what was then Rome village. He visited this section at
an early day in company with Daniel Fox who settled in the town
of Adams about 1800, and died in 1873 at the age of 102 years.
Mr. Andrus in 1799 was a charter member of Roman Lodge, F.
A. M., Rome, N. Y. He removed about 1805 to the town of
Ellisburg and acted as agent for Col. Samuel Wardwell, of Rhode
Island, who had a large landed estate here. He made improve-
ments at Wardwell Settlement, where he settled, and soon after
commenced improvements at Andrus Settlement, to which James
Constable in his journal of August 8, 1806, refers. Improve-
ments at Little Sandy (Mannsville) were commenced by him
as early as 1811, the first saw mill and first dwelling having
been built by him. His business interests at Andrus Settlement
were extensive. He built the large Andrus hotel about 1812, a
two and one-half story wood structure, which was destroyed by
fire in 1890. Mr. Andrus was the proprietor many years and the
hotel was a favorite stopping place with the public, the stage line
making a change of horses there, and in the thriving hamlet the
hotel was the center of much activity. He also built a saw mill
and grist mill, distillery, ashery and blacksmith shop, carrying
on the several branches of business and employing many men.
His farm of 400 acres furnished clay of a superior quality for a
brick yard which was in use before the hotel was finished. In
company with his oldest son. George, he was in the mercantile
business as early as 1810; built the brick store on corner in 1825,
which was taken down about 1855. About the year 1812 he built
the army barracks at Sackett's Harbor, and in 1817 the Jefferson
County bank building at Adams, he being one of the directors of
the bank. He was elected Member of Assembly in 1809 and
1812, and sheriff of the countv in 1812-1813, and again 1815-
1818. His first wife died July 22, 1818, at the age of 55 years.
His youngest child, Mary Jane, was born after his marriage to
Mrs. Esther Hinman. Mr. Andrus died August 21, 1831, after
206 MIDDLETOWN CTPPEE HOUSES
a few days' illness, at the age of 65 years. She died July 22,
1818, Ellisburg, Jefferson County.
Had eight children.
Children :
130a George, the oldest, b. Oct. 11, 1789, N. Y.
51 Sybil 5 Rannev (Willett 4 . Willett 8 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ),
b. Jan. 7, 1765, Upper Houses; m. (1) Richard Willis of Welsh
descent, b. 1760, Pennsylvania, d. 1807, Rome, N. Y. ; m. (2)
Joseph White, b. Jan. 16, 1761, Upper Houses, who with his
father, Capt. Hugh White, had settled Whitestown, N. Y. (See
the White family chapter.) He d. June 17, 1827. She d. 1833,
Adams, 1ST. Y., at the home of her son Willett Ranney Willis.
Children :
Catherine, b. .
130b Delia Ann, b. 1793; m. Wm. Hart of Adams.
131 Willett Ranney, b. Feb. 22, 1799.
Sybil Jane, b. .
Henry, b. ; m. . Daughter is Mrs. (Dr.)
Annie Watson, Lexington, Mississippi.
58 Willett 5 Ranney (Willett 4 , Willett 3 , Thomas-, Thomas 1 ),
bapt. Aug. 6, 1769, with Benjamin, a twin. Upper Houses,
was 7 vears of age when his father rem. to Sandisfield, Mass.
Il«' m. Oct., 1799, Rome, N". Y., Betsey Bobbins, dau. of Jolm
Robbins, who came from Bennington, Vt., in 1790. Tn June,
L790, be leased of Gov. Clinton the 100 acres in "Wright's
Settlement," adjoining the 100 acres his brother Seth had Leased
the previous year, and which was long known as the "Kanney
Place." H<' was to pay one peppercorn each year, if lawfully
demanded, I'm- four years, ami after that is bushels of good
winter wheat, on May 1 of each year, in the city <>f Albany. This
lease in 1878 was in the possession of his son Lester. He sub-
let the lease in L795 t<> Cornelius Van Warner, and in L796 Leased
a 50-acre tract of Moses Wright, while Butler Ranney Leased the
adjoining tract. In L801 both Ranneys -"hi out. He then rem.
to Saratoga ('mini;,, .-i- the Bible record is that Anson was born in
the towil of Milton in that county. Aboul L810 he went to Tahcrg.
ami after a year settled in Smithville. near Adams. Hi< aged
parents went w if h him.
When new- came that, the British had attacked Sackettfs Har-
bor the militia were ordered mil and \\ 'lllctt Ranney, Jr., mo
DESCEXDAXTS OF THOMAS EAXXEY 207
a horse to go to the defense of his country. The old man, in-
spired by a love of country yet tmrning in his bosom, and recall-
ing his own experience in the Revolutionary army, said to his
son : " Get off that horse and let me go." The son obeyed and
Willett Rannev, Sr., over 80 years of age, mounted the horse and
went as a volunteer. In a few years, 1818, the patriot was laid
in the grave and the widow about 1821 followed.
In 1826 Willett Eanney, no longer known as Jr., bought a
farm in Eedfield, and resided on it till 1831, when he went back
to the homestead at Smithville, and on which he resided till his
death in 1865 at the age of 96 years, at the home of his son
Lester.
Children:
132 Anson b. Aug. 5, 1802.
133 John, b. Jan. 16, 1803.
Lucy, b. 1804; d. young.
134 Sophronia, b. , 1807; m. Reuben Drake.
135 Marv, b. , 1809; m. Volney Chamberlain.
136 Jeanette, b. , 1812; m. Dr.* Sheldon Brooks.
137 Orville Willett, b. 1814.
137a Lester, b. Sept. 29, 1815.
■ 59 Persis 5 Rannev (Willett 4 , Willett 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ),
bapt. April 2, 1773, Upper Houses; m. abt. 1800, Rome, X. Y.,
Samuel Jarvis, b. Sept. 16, 1768, Xorwalk, Ct., son of Xathan
Jarvis and Ann Kellogg. Xathan Jarvis, b. Feb. 2, 1737, d.
Apr. 15, 1820, was the next older to Abraham Jarvis, b. May 3,
1739, d. May 13, 1813, Episcopal Bishop of Connecticut. Sam-
uel Jarvis, member of Masonic lodge, resided in Camden, X. Y.,
until after the birth of Angeline, when he rem. to Xorwalk, Ct.
Later he ret. to X. Y. State and d. Jan. 10, 1853, Theresa, X. Y.
The widow d. there Dec. 3, 1866.
Children :
Julia Ann, b. , 1800; d. young.
Hannah, b. , 1802; d. Mar. 27, 1855; m. Dr. Ira
Wright. -
Willett Rannev, b. , 1803; rem. to Pittsville, Wis.
Ann Eliza, b. , 1804: d. May 27, L902; m. Dudley
Chapman.
Mary, b. Sept. 13, 1806; d. Sept. 17, 1841; m. Geo. M.
Foster. Child: Sarah Conant, b. Dec. 14, L832; m. 1871,
Dr. L. Hannahs as his 2d wife. Widow res. Theresa, X. Y.
208 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Angeline, b. , — , 1808; d. Mar. 13, 1866; m. Reuben
Knapp.
Augusta, b. , — , 1811; d. Apr. — , 1887; m. Harrison
Miller.
Harriet Amelia, b. , — , 1818; d. Aug. 27, 1870; m.
1843, Dr. L. Hannahs. He m. (2) Oct. 4, 1871, Sarah
Conant' Poster. Supra.
60 Butler 5 Ranney (Willett 4 , WiUett 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ).
b. , — , 1780, probably New Lebanon, N. Y., rem. as a child
with his father to\Fort Stanwix, now Rome. In 1802 he m. Orva
Heth or Heath, and moved, 1808, to Redfield, Oswego County.
Later he moved into Jefferson County, where other brothers re-
sided. In the war of 1812 he kept a public house in Adams and
Later moved to Watertown, where he resided in 1818, in Sept. of
which year the first Jefferson County Pair and Cattle Show was
held in Watertown. The officers and guests of the Society took
dinner at his house, where extensive preparations had been made
for their entertainment. Among the distinguished guests pres-
ent were Gov. DeWitt Clinton, Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer,
and James LeRoy Di Chaumont, presidenl of the Society. Among
the features of this fair Noadiah Hubbard, a native of Middle-
town, Ct., with Col. Harris, exhibited a cart drawn by 15 yoke of
very fine fat cattle, the product of their farms. Butler Ranney
was a universal favorite. He d. Feb. — , 1854, Watertown.
( 'hildren:
Zanana, h. , ; m. David L. Seymour.
Minerva, b. , ; m. .lames V. Eickey.
138 Norman, 1). , .
Cornelia C, b. - — , 1812; d. Oct. 14, 1892; m. gept.
1841, John Clarke, an eminent lawyer of Watertown.
< 'lii hire n :
Cornelia S., b. ; m. is;i, Pred k Seymour;
Helen Minerva ; d. infant.
Delia Ann, h. ; m. David I>. Seymour supra. Chil-
dren: Allan McCutcheon, Frederick, Thomas N., John
C, Earriel Allan, b. — , ; m. Eugene Robin-
eon.
r,i George" Etanney (George 4 , George 8 , Thomas-, Thomas').
b. June 9, L746-7, Cast Middletown, Conn.; m. (1) Jan. 31,1771,
Ea i Middletown, Conn., Esther Ball, bapt. Jan. 9, L751 ; d. Mar.
:;. L807, dan. of Capt. Samuel Hall: (2) A,ug. 8, 1809, Ashlield.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 209
Mass., Alithea, widow of Oliver Patch. She died Aug. 6, 1827,
aged 76. He died Jan. 14, 1822, Ashfield, Mass. (See the Hall
Family.)
In early life he was in the West India trade. Kem., 1780, to
Ashfield, Mass., and purchased from Lamberton Allen a 100-acre
farm, most of which was a forest, and built a log house. He was
a man of industry and perseverence. With the help of his strong
boys he accomplished the task and brought up a large family.
In 1798 he erected a two-story house on the new road to the
Plain village, ,seen herein. For 40 years he was identified with
the growth and prosperity of the town. He was a member of the
Cong. ch. ,
Children :
139 Samuel Hall, b. Mar. 6, 1772.
Sarah, b. Dec. 20, 1773; d. Feb. 11, 1774.
140 Jesse, b. Oct. 13, 1775.
141 Joseph, b. July, 1777.
Hannah, b. Oct. 3, 1781; m. Dec. 4, 1800, Abiathar Philips;
12 children; d. July 28, 1857.
142 Esther, b. Mar. 5, 1784; m. (1) May 3, 1804, Benj. Jones,
who d. Sept. 20, 1804; m. (2) Forest Jepson. He d. Sept,
20, 1844. She d. Aug. 23, 1862.
Anna, b. June 20, 1786; m. Nov. 27, 1806, James McFar-
land; 4 children. Q
143 George, b. May 12, 1780.
62 Thomas 5 Eanney (George 4 , George 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ),
b. July 6, 1749, East Middletown; m. May 28, 1778, Chatham,
Conn., Marv (Johnson) Mighelles, widow of John Mighelles,
who died of" smallpox, Feb. 7, 1776. Eem. abt. 1792 to Ashfield,
Mass., where he died Apr. 20, 1823. She died Oct. 5, 1819,
72 years old. She was the daughter of Thomas Johnson of Upper
Houses. (See Johnson Lineage.)
Children :
Persis, b. , ; m. Feb. 1, 1801, Moses Bartlett.
Catherine, b. , ; m. Jan. 1, 1799, Wm. Belding.
144 Boswell, b. Nov. 22, 1782.
145 William, b. June 30, 1785.
•63 Francis 5 Banney (George 4 , George 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ),
b. Apr. 19, 1753, East Middletown, Conn.; m. Feb. 16, 1773,
Bachel Hall, b. July 29, 1753, Chatham, Ct, dau. of Capt. Sam-
uel Hall. Eem. 1786, to Ashfield, Mass., where he died Apr. 7,
210 MIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES
1804. It is tradition that he was a Eev. soldier. (See the Hall
Family.) She d. , 1827.
Children:
Sally, b. , ; m. Samuel Phillips, Esq.
146 Giles, b. Aug. 17, 1773.
147 Daniel, b. , 1776.
Betsey, b. , ; m. Feb. 17, 1802.
Ruth, b. , ; m. Josiah Wells.
147a Luther, b. Sept. 6, 1785.
Rachel, b. , ; m. Eastman.
Lucy, b. , ; m. Enos Bush.
64 Mary 5 Rannev (George 4 , George 3 . Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b.
June 22, 1757; d. Aug. 17, 1841; m. July 1, 1779, E. Middle-
town, Nathaniel 6 Bosworth, b. Apr. 12, 1753, Warren, R. I.; d.
Mar. 12, 1844, Berlin, Vt., son of Jonathan 5 Bosworth and Mary
Humphrey, who wore m. Mar. 1!), 1748. Nathaniel was the sec-
ond of nine children.
Child:
148 Jonathan, b. Jan. 21, 1787.
| Bosworth Lineage — Edward 1 and Mary Bosworth came in the
ehip Elizabeth in 1634. Five children.
Nathaniel" Bosworth, b. 1617, England; m. Bridget Lobdell,
widow of Nicholas. Had nine children.
John 3 Bosworth, b. 1656; m. . Sarah .
I lad eight children.
Edward 4 Bosworth, b. 1689; m. , Mehitahle .
Had ten children.
Jonathan 5 Bosworth, b. Sept. 1, 1727.
Nathaniel 8 Bosworth servedin the Revolutionary army. Was
taken prisoner on Delaware River. Believing they were being
poisoned several slipped down the cables and swam three miles be-
fore landing. They were given a breakfast by the widow of a
soldier who had been killed in battle. After -nine days they reached
camp. After his marriage he rem. to Lebanon, N II.. and again
enlisted and experienced the smallpox. In 1795 he settled in
Berlin; Vt., as a blacksmith.]
64a Jonathan 6 Ranney (George*, George 8 , Thomas-.
Thomas 1 ), h. Sept. :;. L765, East MMdletown; m. Feb. 86,
L786, Sandi Parsons, b. - — , ; d. Feb. 3, L853, aged
81 years. Be was one of the original members <d" the Episco-
DESCEXDAXTS OF THOMAS EAXXEY 211
pal Parish organized Sept. 24, 1788, in what was then Chatham,
now Portland, Ct. He inherited the (Hale) homestead, the
other brothers having gone to Ashfield, Mass. He d. of consump-
tion, Dec. 27, 1832,
Children:
149 Orrin, bapt. June 24, 1789.
Nancy, bapt. June 24, 1789; d. Xov. 29, 1814.
150 Reuben, b. Feb. 19, 1789.
Lucretia, bapt. Sept. 8, 1793; m. Mar. 24, 1825, Lyman
Rose of Granville, Mass.
George, bapt, July 15, 1798.
Hannah, bapt. Oct. 6, 1801.
Harriet, bapt. Oct. 6, 1801; d. June 9, 1870; m. Russell
Bell; 3 daus., 2 sons.
Jonathan, b. , .
65 Comfort 5 Ranney (Nathaniel 4 , Nathaniel 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Dec. 19,
/-~~^*£> 1759 > Upper Houses; m.
o trtfc? r'/y' yx**-*i+%<.*f — — , — , Ruth
"Treat. (See Treat fam-
ily chapter.) There is no
record of his marriage, nor of the birth of his two sons. He served
in the Rev. army. His home was beyond that of his father's, and he
built a house on his father's land. A plot of this property made
at the time of his father's death shows the location of the house.
The Baptist church was organized in his house, Feb. 6, 1802,
and he was an original member. He purchased of the other
heirs their shares in their father's homestead, then sold out and
in 1808 or 1809 started for the Western Reserve of Ohio, where
he had made purchase of a homestead. He d. in Buffalo, enroute
for Ohio. The widow m. (2) in Stow, O., Feb. 22, 1810, Phineas
Perkins and d. before 1812.
Children :
151 Comfort, b. Mar. 20, 1788.
Jacob, b. , ; d. , 1810, Cleveland, O.,
of consumption, and was buried in Erie Street Cemetery.
66 William 5 Rannev (John 4 , John 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), bapt.
Sept. 14, 1756, East Middletown ; m. Sept. 26, 1779, Woodstock.
Ct., Abigail Bacon. He served in 1775 from Woodstock in the
" Lexington Alarm," and later from Chatham, his home. There
is no further record of him.
^
212 MIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES
Child:
152 George, b. Aug. 5, 1784.
67 David 5 Ranney (Jeremiah 4 , Richard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ),
b. Dec. 1, 1754, East Middletown; m. — , 1783, Priscilla
Rathbun, who d. Nov. 27, 1829, aged 73.
From Chatham Land Records, Vol. 2, page 252, recorded June
4, 1782:
" The Bearer, David Ranney, soldier of the 1st Connecticut
Regt., having faithfully and honorably served in the Regt. three
years the Term of his inlistment & for the last year has been
in Virginia with the Marquis de la Fayette & at the Taking of
Lord Cornwallis & his time having expired two weeks before his
return is hear by Honorably discharged.
" Given under my Hand this 4th day of December, 1781.
Trios'. Grosvenor. Lieut. Coll.
of the 1st Regt.
In 1801 he was pensioned at $60 a year. Died Apr. 1, 1813.
Inventory included :
One Bible 60
Shoemaker's tools 5.00
Pewter cups & plates 1.76
1-4 of 7 A of land 18.00
1-2 of D. H 75.00
Children :
Huldah, d. infant.
David, bapt. July 1, 1798; m. Oct. 28, 1819, Susan Handy.
Children: David Handy, Daniel. Huldah, Susan. Sup-
posed to have rein, to Ohio.
68 Jeremiah 8 Ranney (Elijah*, Richard 8 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ),
I). May 5, 1769, Granville, Mass.; m. Alice . Rem. to
Waterville, N. Y. Firsl to sign covenani at organization of Bap-
tist ch. Apr. 14, 1798, and the fosl deacon. He d. Sept. 23, 1835;
she d. Nov. 18, 1833. His mother resided with him and died
there, she has tombstone there.
Children:
Jeremiah, I). — , 1802: d. Mar. &2, 1818.
Uenath, b. . L801 : d. Sept. I. L825.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 213
Nancy, b. , 1809 ; d. , 1811.
Silas, b. , . Rem. to California.
68a Ebenezer 5 Ranney (Elijah*, Richard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b.
May 25, 1776, Blandford, Mass. ; m. Feb. 23, 1800, Almeda Bar-
tholomew, b. July 26, 1781, Goshen, Conn., dau. of Oliver
Bartholomew and Anna Lacy. At age of 21 he rem. to Water-
ville, N. Y., the home of his brother Jeremiah, thence to Augusta,
N. Y., where he cleared an extensive tract of land, making potash
of the ashes. In 1832 rem. to Valley Mills where he purchased a
saw mill and erected a woolen mill, and d. there Apr. 12, 1860.
In early life he became a Baptist and organized a society in Au-
gusta; at his own expense rebuilt the mission church at Valley
Mills and preached in it many years. Said to have served at
Sackett's Harbor in war of 1812; wife resided at Watertown,
N. Y., at time of marriage, and d. June 19, 1868.
Children :
153 Ores, b. May 26, 1801.
Dorcas, b. Nov. 28, 1803; m. Zacharias Lewis. Children:
John, Franklin, Eugene, d. Feb. 20, 1875.
154 Hiram, b. Nov. 23, 1805.
Ebenezer, b. Apr. 3, 1809 ; m. Betsy Calkins and died July
5, 1868.
155 Anson L., b. June 21, 1811.
156 Oliver Russell, b. Jan. 6, 1816.
157 Almeda Pamelia, b. Mar. 27, 1820; m. Wm. W. Bingham.
69 Rufus 5 Ranney (Elijah 4 , Richard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b.
1779, Blandford, Mass.; m. Dolly D. Blair, b. 1780, Blandford,
Mass. Res. on old farm till 1824, when he rem. to Freedom, Ohio.,
where he cleared four acres, built a cabin, and for a year they
lived on the game killed. He d. Oct. 29, 1849, at Freedom, Port-
age Co., O. She d. Dec. 7, 1848.
Children :
158 Elijah Warren, b. 1802.
William Milton, b. Sept. 16, 1807; d. May 16. 1828, unm.
159 Rufus Percival, b Oct. 30. 1813.
160 John Lewis, b. Nov. 14, 1815.
Harriet E., b. , ; m. Wm. R. Sherwood.
Nancy C, b. June 20, 1820; m. Marshall Mills; d. Julv 31,
1849. Four children.
•
214 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Mary L., b. May 24, 1825; d. July 17, 1900; m. Milton
Marcy.
Dolly S., b. 1827; d. Sept. 8, 1857; m. Scott.
70 Stephen 5 Ranney (Stephen 4 . Richard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ),
bapt. Dec. 4, 1763, East Middletown; m. Jan. 15, 1789, Persis
Crossley who d. Jan. 25, 1854, aged 85. He was a blacksmith.
House in Portland is in good condition. Died June 7, 1840.
Children:
Julia, b. Apr. 11, 1790; d. Jan. 20, 1828.
John, b. Apr. 13, 1792 ; d. Feb. 23, 1814.
Persis, b. June 4, 1795 ; m. Mar. 21, 1813, Joseph Cole. She
d. Nov. 23, 1862. He d. Dec. 18, 1867.
Prudence, b. Nov. 27, 1797 ; m. Jan. 23, 1821, Gustave Field
of Southold N. J. She d. Mar. 27, 1877, in Portland,
Conn.
Stephen, b. Sept. 2, 1800 ; d. Sept. 5, 1814.
William Crossley, b. June 27, 1803; m. Vienna Ames. He
d. Apr. 14, 1879. She d. Apr. 27, 1891. Son William
b. 1846; d. Dec. 2, 1871, unm.
Mary, b. Jan. 19, 1806; m. Mar. 3, 1828, Wm. (\ Lewis.
She d. Jan. 23, 1876. He d. Sept. 25, 1875.
Emily Stocking, b. Feb. 14, 1809; m. Nov. 26, 1830, Alan-
son Strickland. She d. Feb. 10, 1894. He d. July 31,
1888.
Elizabeth Ann, b. Jan. 15, 1812; m. Oct. 23, 1832, Geo.
Strickland. She d. Jan. 24, 1871. He d. Aug. 11, 1878.
71 Joel 5 Ranncv (Stephen 4 , Richard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), bapt.
Oct. 29. 1775, Chatham, Ct.; m. Polly Buck, bapt. Mar. 17, 1778,
Glastonbury, Ct., dau. of Samuel Buck ami Hannah Wright. The
land records name his purchases and sales of real estate. In 1818
he and his son Joel were recorded as members of the Episcopal
Society of Chatham, now Portland, ct. In 1817 he wen\ to Plain
Township, Franklin ('<>., <). (Sec Appendix.)
Child:
161 Joel, h. Sept. 10, 1802.
72 Eannah 8 Ranney (Abner*, Richard 8 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b.
Apr. 9, L779, Blandford, Mass.; d. Oct. 11, L860, Vernon, N. Y.;
m. (1) July 1, 1800, Eenry Knox, b. Feb. L9, 1715; d. July 4,
1820, Augusta, N. Y.; m. (2) Joel Baker.
Rev. Darwin Earlow Ranney
(See page 330)
Mbs. Abbie !);•: Ette i Ranney)
Lowe
(See page 367)
John IIkxky Richardson a.m. Wife
(See page 432)
A.BNEB i:\wiy
(See page 215)
I.V.MAN WlI.lS ItANNEY
(See page 275)
( 'asm i 8 Wins RANNE1
Robebi Benton Rannei
(See page 374)
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 215
Children:
Betsey, b. Mar. 18, 1801; d. 1891; m. E. B. Carrington.
Henry, b. June 21, 1802 ; d. Oct. 22 x 1883 ; m. Jane Davis.
162 Alanson Eanney, b." Aug. 7, 1804.
Marshall, b. Apr. 9, 180G; d. June 9, 1888; m. Eliza Per-
cival.
Lovisa, b. Oct. 27, 1808.
Kachel Melissa, b. June 21, 1811; d. Apr. 3, 1872; m. (1)
Jacob Becker; (2) John Lyman Jacobs.
Sarah A., b. May 14, 1816.
Nancy Emeline, b. Apr. 10, 1819; d. Mar. 8, 1849; m. Dec,
1838, Samuel Coe Ellingwood.
73 Lovisa 5 Eanney (Abner 4 , Eichard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b.
Nov. 18, 1780, Blandford, Mass.; m. abt. 1802, Samuel Allen, b.
May 20, 1776 ; d. Aug. 2, 1847, Augusta, N. Y. She d. June 7,
1870, Augusta, N. Y.
Child:
162a Samuel, b.- Aug. 3, 1807; m. Almira Hurd. Children:
Curtis T.
Ira L.
Lorenzo H.
Emeline A.
Mary Eliza.
371a Fayette Almeron.
Samuel E.
Alida F.
Cordelia A.
. 74 Abner 5 Eanney (Abner 4 , Eichard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b.
Jan. 14, 1782, Blandford, Mass; m. Armyra Powell, b. Aug. 27,
1792, who d. Jan. 5, 1860, Forestville, N. Y. Bapt.; Eep. He
it June 1, 1863, Sheridan, N. Y.
Children :
Julia, b. , ; m. Salmon Treat. (See the Treat
family chapter.)
Ephraim, b. , ; d. Feb. 20, 1868, unm.
Loran, b. - — — — , ; d. , , unm.
Harriet, b. , ; m. Orrin Moore.
163 Mary Ann, b. Aug. 10, 1815; m. James Sheldon Cook.
Hiram, b. , .
Clark, b. , .
164 Lyman Wells, b. Oct. 30, 1820.
216 MIDDLETOWX VVVFAl HOUSES
Jane, b. , ; m. John Pratt.
165 Harmon, b. Oct. 12, 1823.
Abner, b. , ; d. 1878, num.
75 Joel 5 Ranney (Abner 4 , Richard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Oct.
28, 1783, Blandford, Mass.; d. 1870, Griffin's Mills, N. Y. ; m.
Julia Letson.
Children :
166 Timothy Alonzo, b. June 1, 1811.
Leonard, b. , ; d. young.
167 Caroline Amelia, b. Feb. 16, 18*24; m. C. M. Whitney.
Adaline, b. , ; m. Gray.
Mary, b. , ; m. Starring.
William, b. , ; m. . No children.
168 Lydia Jane, b. Apr. 17, 1835 ; ni. T. W. Parker.
Charlotte A., b. , ; m. Jas. W. Crabbe.
169 John Sheldon, b. Oct. 22, 1838.
170 Rowland Robinson, b. May — , 18-10.
1 "i 1 Lafayette, b. , .
76 Oliver 5 Ranney (Abner 4 , Richard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b.
Dec. 6, 1785, Blandford, Mass.; m. Feb. 26, 1811, Sally Reynolds,
b. Jan. 18, 1787; d. Apr. 11, 1812, Knoxboro, N. Y., dau. of
Jeremiah Reynolds (Benj. of Windham, Conn.), and Roby Pye.
Private 20th Reg. N. Y. Militia. 1814, in Capt. Isaac Benedict's
Co. of Riflemen; marched to Sacketfs Harbor under Lieut. Orange
Foot. Had paid a substitute from 1812 to 1814. Farmer; Rep.
Died July 29, 1875, Augusta, N. Y.
Children:
Matthew, b. Feb. 1, 1812; d. Feb. 1, 1812
Martha, b. Feb. 1, 1812; d. Feb. 2, 1812.
172 Oliver Franklin, b. Apr. 1, 1813.
Sarah Ette, I). July 1. L815; m. Ezra W. Svmonds.
Channcey, 1). Oct.' 6, 1817'; d. July 2. is!7; in. Fidelia
Shepard. Children: Emily and Edwin.
L73 Danid Wells, b. Oct. 4, 1819.
\: 1 Biram Mason, 1,. Jan. 6, L822.
Adolphus, b. May 15, 1824 : .1. Apr. L6, L874; m. Susan Rey-
nolds of \. V. City. Had a son Win. Adolphns.
Ellen, b. Apr. 8, 1827; d. Dec. 14, 1869; in. Fob. 1. 1853,
\. W. Iltirll.ut of Binghamton, .V. Y.
77 Wells* Ranney (Abner*, Richard 8 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 217
Sept. 7, 1794, Blandford, Mass.; m. (1) Priscilla Loveland; m.
(2) Julia Sperry; m. (3) Almira Bartholomew, b. July 30, 1800,
Augusta, N. Y., dau. of Josiah Bartholomew and Myra Wadhams
Hyde. Eep.; Meth.; Farmer, d. Oct. 14, 1872, Royalton, N. Y.
Children by 1st marriage:
174a Milo, b. 1819.
175 Harvey Henderson, b. 1815.
Marvin, b. ; killed by falling from a tree.
Children by 2d marriage:
175a Daniel, b. 1822.
175b Franklin, b. .
Maryette, b.
Children by 3d marriage:
176 Collins Bartholomew, b. Jan. 20, 1840.
Alminia, b. 1843 ; d. Oct. 14, 1872.
George Wells, b. 1846 ; m. Edna Dysinger. Res. Buffalo, N.
Y.; child, Howard, b. - — . Res. Buffalo, 1ST. Y.
78 Lyman 5 Ranney (Abner 4 , Richard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b.
Dec. 13, 1793, Blandford, Mass.; d. Feb. 11, 1879, Perrysburg, N.
Y. ; m. (1) , Sophronia Soper; m. (2) Louisa Toles; m. (3)
Maria Clark, b. Oct. 23, 1810, Shelburne, Mass., d. Mar. 16, 1895,
Perrysburg, dau. of Amasa Clark and Eunice Warren, who was
b. Feb. 8, 1780, d. Aug. 23, 1880, being a centenarian. He was
a farmer, a private in Capt. Orrin Gridley's Co. in war of 1812
and was a pensioner ; Dem. ; Meth.
Children by 1st marriage:
177 Philo, b. Oct. 13, 1818. '
178 Eliza, b. Apr. 12, 1821 ; m. Moses Wood.
179 Sophronia, b. Oct. 16, 1822; d. Jan. 7, 1905 ; m. L. Vaughan.
Sheldon, ; d. St. Charles, 111., young.
180 Edward Allen, b. Sept. 7, 1825.
Children by 2d marriage:
181 Diana, b. , 1831; d. 1854; m. John Eckels.
Franklin, b. .
182 Warren Ezrum, b. Mar. 14, 1838.
183 DeWitt Clinton, b. , 1840.
Children by 3d marriage:
184 Caroline Celinda, b. Nov. 9, 1841 ; m. J. A. Grantier.
218 MIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES
Ransom, b. Dec. 10, 1843; d. Jan. 11, 1845.
Morrell, b. May 31, 1845; d. June 6, 1850.
Emily Maria, b. July 12, 1849; m. Dec. 7, 1886, Perrys-
burg, Wallace Cadwell, b. Apr. 16, 1847, farmer. No
children; res. Perrysburg, N". Y.
Oliver Lyman, b. May 25, 1854, unm. Pes. Perrysburg, N. Y.
79 Eli 5 Ranney, ( Abner 4 , Richard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. June
27, 1796, Blandfofd, Mass.; m. (1) Dec. 27, 1818, Evaline Parma-
lee, b. Oct. 9, 1797, who d. Apr. 25, 1834, Knoxboro, N. Y. ; m.
(2) Lois Wetmore, b. Mar. 10, 1811, d. Sept. 26, 1879; farmer in
Augusta, N. Y. ; rem., 1844, to Perrysburg, N. Y. ; and from thence
to Spring Hill, la., farmer; Meth. Died Dec. 2, 1873, Spring
Hill, la.
Children hi/ 1st marriage:
185 Justin Worthy, b. Jan. 3, 1821.
186 Harmon, b. June 27, 1823.
187 Nancy Jane, b. Nov. 12, 1826; m. N. H. Miner.
188 Julius Caesar, b. Feb. 20, 1829.
189 Lovisa, b. Aug. 21, 1831 ; m. D. C. Brand.
Children by 2d marriage:
190 Frank Eli, b. Sept. 25, 1837.
191 Elizabeth Evelyn, b. July 9, 1840; m. Alfred Francis.
Orzelia, b. Dec. 23, 1845 ;'d. Dec. 9, 1873.
192 Helen Amelia, b. 1847; m. Lewis S. Kennedy.
Man, b. Mar. 24, 1850; m. Earvey Handy, b. 1844. Chil-
dren :
Sadie, b. June, 1870.
Prank, b. June, 1876; res. Nesho, Missouri.
Minnie, 1). ; res. KTesho, Missouri.
80 Joseph 8 Ranney (Fletcher 4 , Joseph 3 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ),
b. Aug. 6, L751, OppeT Eouses; m. (1) June 29, L778, CTppet
Bouses, Ruth 9 While, b. L754, CTpper Eouses, (Moses 5 , [saac*,
Daniel 8 , NTathanieP, John 1 ); d. Jan. 80, L824; m. (2) Dec. 25,
1824, Lucy Edwards, dan. of Churchill Edwards, who <). Mar. 89,
isc, i . ;, L r t ,'i 89 years. He died Jan. 30, is:::.. By bis will he re-
membered his widow of course; Polinda, Eliza and Jane Wilcox,
children of his deceased sou Norman; Ruth, Augusta, and Emeline,
children of In- only living child, Rebecca; Eenrj Joseph, Moses
and Mary, children of his deceased son, Moses; Asa Sage Ranney,
child of his deceased Bon, Calvin; Mary Ann Warburton, child of
Mrs. Ida Louise (Inman) Ranney
(See page 446)
Mrs. Nettie (Ranney) Rossman
(See page 495)
Miss .Ulia Isabel Ranney Miss Habriet Augusta Ranney
(See page 297)
Mrs. -in ia (Ranney) Tbeai
(See page 215)
Mrs. II wnaii I i: w\i v | Knox
(See page -l 1 1
I i i i;w\n
(See page 218)
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 219
his deceased daughter, Mary. His home from birth to death was
the Fletcher Ranney house.
Children :
Henry, b. Sept. 10, 1778; d. June 16, 1801.
193 Rebecca, b. Sept. 24, 1780; m. (1) Nov. 1801, John Ed-
wards; (2) May 15, 1810, Thomas White. (See the White
Family.)
Mary, b. Apr. 3, 1783; m. Luther 6 Smith (John 5 , Joseph 4 ,
Rev. Joseph 3 ). Child: Mary, b. ; m. John War-
burton, the millionaire of Hartford. She built Warburton
chapel and was a philanthropist.
194 Moses, b. Dec. 22, 1785.
Joseph, b. Nov. 27, 1788; d. Feb. 14, 1806.
195 Calvin, b. Apr. 15, 1791.
196 Norman, b. Apr. 22, 1793.
Ilarvev, b. Apr. 14, 1795; d. Aug. 23, 1819. Charleston, S. C.
Served in War of 1812, Aug. 18, 1814— Oct. 25, 1814,
under Capt. Isaac Webber.
81 Simeon 5 Ranney (Fletcher 4 , Joseph 2 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ),
b. Nov. 25, 1759, Upper Houses; m. Aug. 21, 1785, Mary 5 Savage,
b. 1764, dau. of Dr. Solomon 4 Savage (Dea. William 3 , Serg. Wil-
liam 2 , John 1 ), and Sarah Selden, b. Aug. 30, 1743, dau. of Capt.
Thomas Selden of Haddam Neck. He served in the Rev. Army.
Both owned the church covenant, June 19, 1788. He d. the next
day. She d. .
Children :
Simon, bapt, June 19, 1788; d. Jan. 23, 1810, aged 24; m.
Anna. She m. (2) Zachariah Somers.
Child: Marv Ann, b. 1807; d. Feb. 26, 1821.
Selden, bapt. June 19, 1788; d. Oct. 19, 1822.
197 Martin, bapt. June 19, 1788.
82 William 5 Ranney (Fletcher 4 , Joseph 3 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ),
b. Nov. 14, 1763, Upper Houses; m. (1) June 20, 1790, Olive 5
Hamlin, bapt. Sept. 4, 1768, Middletown, (William 4 , Nathaniel 3 ,
William 2 , Giles 1 ), d. Nov. 23, 1822; m. (2) Oct. 25, 1826, Sarah
Clark of Wcstfield Society, Middletown. He purchased the Major
Edward Eells place and kept a tannery. He was an original mem-
ber, 1802, of the Baptist Church and deacon for many years, and
his home was known as " The Ministers' Tavern." He d. Sept.
29, 1829. She was widow Clark and d. Sept. 11, 1843, aged 66.
220 MIDDLETOWN DTPEB BOUSES
( 'lit I then:
198 Horace, bapt. Oct. 28, L791.
199 William, bapt. Juno 9, 1793.
200 George, bapt. July 26, 1795.
201 Sarah, bapt. Apr*. 10, 1797.
Timothy, bapt. June 23, 1799; d. Sept. 5, 1821.
Olive,— - 1801 ; d. Oct. 3, 1826.
202 Henry, b. May 5, 1804.
Mary, 1». Aug. 20, 1805; d. Mar. 20, 1832.
203 Joseph, b. Aug. 20, 1807; m. Jan. 1, 1834, Cleveland, O.,
Lucenia Fox. b. Sept. 24, 1807, Leroy N. Y. ; d. 1885.
Shoe merchant; d. Aug. 4, 1873. Child: Sarab Kinney, b.
Dec. 14, 1847, unm. Res. Cleveland, O.
83 Stephen 5 Ranney (Stephen 4 , Joseph 8 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ),
b. Oct. 14, 1753, Upper Eouses; m. Aug. 28, L783, Esther Sage,
b. Oct. 11, 1753, dau. of Gen. Comforl Sage and Sarab Hamlin;
raised, Feb. 6, 1782 in St. John's Lodge F. A. M.; prominent
official in Episcopal Church. Owned one of the fine old mansions
on Elm Street, Middletown.
Eis second application for a pen-ion dated June 22, 1820, reads:
"A volunteer at Roxbury in Feb. and March, 1776. He then
enlisted in Col. Samuel Wylly's Regt. ; from New York was
detached with Col. Tupper on board sloop Wester; on the
arrival of the British army the detachment was forced to
return to N"ew York the 20th of June. 1776, received a warrant
as Surgeon's Male in the 3d Regt.. raised out of the militia of the
Colony of Connecticut, was on Governor's Island when it
was evacuated, and in the red-eat from New York to Harlem
Eeights passed over from this place with the Bick of the Regt. to
Hackensack and Paramuss joined the Regt. soon after at North
Castle where the Regt. was disbanded the last of Dec p , L776,
— Feb., 1777. entered as mate in the General Eosp 1 at Morris-
town in June was appointed -croud Surgeon in the Eospital,
— (the Commission was forwarded to the Departmenl of War,
on his application Eor a Pension. April, L818) was in the Hos-
pitals in the vicinity of Morristown till late in the fall — — was then
ordered to Princeton; Bometime in the winter was Beni to East
'Town with the Eessian Pris™ wounded al Red Bank Port
was then ordered to Yellow Spring Eospital, in which I did duty
till taken sick, on m\ recovery was ordered to join Col. Nevila
Regt. Gen 1 Scotts 5 Brig" at Valley Forge when the army took the
field, removed the Bick of the Brig" back into the Counts, the Eos-
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 221
pitals being broke up, went to Philadelphia, was then ordered to
Fish Kill Hospital under the direction of Doc. McKnight, Surg"
Gen 1 , of the Middle Department, remained at Fish Kill and the
neighborhood, according # to the best of my remembrance till Oct r
1780, a new arrangement was made in the Hospital, resigned
and spent the remainder of the war in armed vessels that he
has received a pension the certificate of which bears the number
1719."
He had taken a fancy to writing his name Rainey, and it made
him much trouble in trying to get a pension. In a letter he
states : " I regret that it did not occur at the time I made out my
declaration to spell my name as I did when in the service. It oc-
curred when I received your letter, that that was the difficulty in
my identity. Mr. Dane proposed the remedy that difficulty, if
any, as you find in the enclosed papers. If Dr. Townsend was
at West Point, he can testify to my declaration. I remember no
one at that station but Eustace, Warren and Gordon nearly
half a century has elapsed, which makes havoc on the frame and
memory. I have found the warrant alluded to in my declaration
which I enclose for the novelty of the composition, the Governor
of an English Colony authorizing me to act against the King."
From a letter dated May 31, 1828, it appears that he was seek-
ing to avail himself of the benefit of the Act providing for the
surviving officers of the Eevolutionary Army and he wrote a long
letter to a friend in which he detailed his army experience. " In
Feb., 1776, the British Army were besieged in Boston. I walked
to Eoxbury and entered a volunteer in Col. G. Wyllys's Regiment.
. . . 1780. At this period a new arrangement was made in
the General Hospital, the second surgeon was struck out; I having
served my country almost five years with my best abilities, having
never been absent, by furlough six weeks in the time, and if con-
tinued must accept a less station and pay; as there were enough
older surgeons to fill the office of Surgeon, I left the Hospital and
returned home still desirous to assist in gaining that Independence
which my youthful ardor had led me to suffer so many hardships.
And I have never received land or commutation and received a
pension till the law voted it to damn paupers.
" I had three severe fits of sickness, and very much impaired my
constitution, expended my property, as the pay although ample,
which was $60 per month and four rations, yet the depreciation
was so great that it would not furnish decent clothing. I am
often led to reflect on the subject and wonder what kept us together.
1 must say I enjoyed myself very much, and when our troubles were
MIDDLETOWN UPPEB HOUSES
tlie greatest, our pleasures seemed to produce the greatest hilar-
ity; I believe that we were never at a greater ebb than at Valley
For_r
The following letters show how he wrote his name to his parents :
Amboy ox Boaed Sloop Hester. June 3. 1".
Dear Father : —
I suppose you heard by Lieutenant Warm - - that I have
undertaken on board the privateer. I think I have much greater
advantages here than in the Army, as I have the advantage of em-
ploying my time in physick. I act as Commodore's Clerk and
Physician's mate. The Commodore is a gentleman of honour and
courage, as you may see by last Summer's papers.
I will first let you know what fleet this is. as I suppose you know
nothing about it there. It is composed of the Commadere of 10
guns. 10 swivels and every other instrument of War: the Sloop
Schuyler of Guns. S or 10 swiv< - . S hoonei Mifflin, mount-
. - i ivels. Blunderbusses, wall pieces, etc. etc. She's much like
a hornet's nest, full of men: Their hatches are made quite to the
Cabin door, and they stand below Decks to fight: that the sides
make a considerable breastwork : she swims not more than three
feet clear of the water: that it must _ shot to hit her.
"Captain Clap with seven Whail Boats and 29 men. with fire-
arms, plum-pudding hand grenade wall p] 3, . etc
Captain Stanwood with the same number and strength.
Lieutenant Toogood with 6 do. and 22 men equipped in the
same manner: they are cruising off and are stationed out. the
Sloop and the Schooner, the whail boats send up intelligence every
other day: we are stationed at present at Amboy, tho' I hope we
shall soon be relieved by some land force, which it is expected will
be sent down to fortify: a small fort is begun but no guns mounted,
nor is there at present any Troops here, only a Company of the
train, besides us: we have just received Lnteligence that two more
Ships have come in: th ngmented to 10 sail inelud-
ii of War. beside a Topsail Schooner, Sloop and two or
three smaller fly boats: we have an Ex] ress goi m to Middle-
ton to fetch up three Men that hav- rom the Men of
War. we are informed that they - that they are in great
want of provisions on board the Fleet, but further particulars I
hope to be able to write before Night 1 am much indebted to
Captain Sumner for his great b me. he has
arks of freedom and friendship,
utenant Warn. : ! esi with the most tender regard
ridship ; the Oflieers that I am now embarked with are very
DESCEXDAXTS OF THOMAS EAXXEY 223
free and Sociable that I live with the content and ease Immagin-
able. I go on Shore when I please, and come off when I plea.se,
and a more mild crew I judge never manned a Vessel of War, no
man drops an oath without a Cobing, which is executed by the man
that was punished before, that it makes a diversion for all and has
entirely brook them that it is rare to hear an oath. Jere Xorton
is on board, no others belonging to Middletown. I have not yet been
to see my aunt, but shall go I believe tomorrow.
I have got Verry portly since I came on board and free from
my cold. My kind love to Mama, Grandmama and Brothers and
Sisters and all enquiring Friends and Eelations.
X. B. I wish you would send down my Coat and Jacket and
Summer Jackets and Shirts, for my Shirts are most gone.
Dear Father I am your dutiful Son till Death,
Stephex Eaxxey.
Direct your letters and Cloathes to Lieutenant Warner in Colonel
Wyllys's Eegiment. Eemember me to Mrs. Warner. [This wa-
later Capt. and Major Eobert Warner. C. C. A.]
Mexdheii. September IT. 1TTT.
Dear Earexts : —
I enjoy this opportunity of writing by Captain Warner and am
very sorry to inform you that I have not received a letter from you
since April. I wrote you in my last very fully of my situation
which is as before, only in hourly expectation of Orders to move.
We have at present only Xinety in Hospital and most of them in
a recovering state. Our Army in Pennsylvania have had a very
smart engagement, which by the best account, is very much in our
favour, for tho' they caused us to retreat, yet their loss was more
than three to one, and upon them conditions we can afford to
retreat every Day. The Enemy crossed last week about 1000
strong at Elizabethtown point, and marched to Xew Ark and up
Fasaick Eiver, in Consiquence of which mineuver, I was sent to
attend the wounded, which amounted to only Six and four or live
Killed, they made a point of driving off all the Cattle they could
get in their way — tho' they were very remarkably favorable on
account of Plundering the Inhabitants which is a loss but
too small to cover the Hook, for the Militia turn out very fully ;
we had the ne.xt upwards of 1200 Men in the field in high spirits,
and we have a report that General McDougal is on his march with
2500 Men on their back, that I hope in a few days we shall be able
to tell their Xumbers with more Certainty. I am highly pleased
to hear that General Stark with the New England Troops has be-
haved so well at Bennington, for they have become a proverb in
224 MIDDLETOWN UPPEE HOUSES
the Land. I am often put to the hlush to hear the execrations
that are constantly threw out against Connecticut in particular,
that I am almost determined sometime to deny my native place.
I am in a hurry as the man is waiting, you must excuse my not
writing oftener, as it is very difficult sending heing out of the
post Eoad. If you have an opportunity of Sending to Morristown,
desire them to leave it at the Doctor's Quarters, and they will
send it to me Immediately. My Compliments to all enquiring —
my love to all — Brothers and Sisters, etc. I remain with the
sincerity
Your Dutiful Son,
\.B. I send this letter enclosed to Captain Warner, who I hope
will forward it.
In accordance with the rules of the pension office he filed an
inventory which included six silver tablespoons bearing the date
" 1726 " valued at $3.00. He had evidently bought them at the
sale of his father's effects, and the date indicates that they belonged
to bis grandfather, Joseph Ranney, who was married July 21, L725.
For 30 years, 1790 — 1820, he had been employed in the Middle-
town Customs office. His death occurred May 18, 1837; buried
May 30, (Epis. Ch. Record). He is probably buried in the Gen.
< 'mil fort Sage tomb, Mortimer Cemetery, where his infant children
are buried. His parents, brother and one sister have headstones
in Mortimer Cemetery. The widow rem. to New London, Ct., to
reside, and died there May 3, 1 857. The daughters married into
prominenl families. The Family Bible is in the Jackson family of
M iddletou II.
Children:
Jabez Hamlin, b. Apr. L7, L784 ; d. Oct. L6, 1802.
Esther, b. Mar. 31, L786; d. L892; m. John Vibbard of
Waterford, \. V. (Vibbert.)
Comforl Sage, b. dan. L9, L788, raised in St. John's Lodge,
June 21, L809; d. A.ug. L813, losl at sea returning from
Bermuda.
Mary, b. Dec. L3, L789; m. he.. 21, L832, Edward Hallam
of New London, Ct.
Daniel Stephen, b. Feb. 18, L792; d. Sept. L0, L793.
Sarah Sage, b. dan. 29, L795 ; d. Dec. L3, L795.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 225
Sarah Sage, b. Nov. 13, 1796; d. Jan. 21, 1887; m. Nov.
1, 1841, Rev. Daniel Huntington of New London.
Stephen Augustus, b. Aug. 25, 1798; d. unm. Aug. 4, 1840 in
Cuba.
Catherine Elizabeth, b. June 20, 1803 ; d. unm. Dec. 9, 1891,
New London, Ct. Left a large property and many valu-
able papers of her father's, including his commission.
83a Samuel Ward 5 Ranney (Stephen 4 , Joseph 3 , Joseph-,
Thomas 1 ), b. May 13, 1758, Upper Houses, m. Jan. 15, 1784,
Middletown, Ann Newell, b. Mar. 16, 1759, widow of Nathaniel
Newell and dau. of Robert Gilchrist and Elizabeth Jackson; con-
firmed, 1786, by Bishop Seabury. Drowned June 17, 1832.
Widow d. Apr. 6, 1833. Gravestones in Mortimer Cemetery.
Robert Gilchrist and widow have gravestones in Riverside Cemetery.
Children :
Samuel Ward, bapt. Oct. 17, 1784.
. Elizabeth Gilchrist, bapt. Sept. 24, 1786 ; m. Moses Ranney,
which see.
James Dick, bapt. Sept. 7, 1788; d. South.
Martha, bapt. Apr. 3, 1791.
84 Capt. Charles 5 Rannev (Hezekiah 4 , Joseph 3 , Joseph 2 ,
Thomas 1 ) ; b. Oct. 4, 1771, Upper Houses; m. May 5, 1791, Mid-
dletown Cong. Ch. Mabel 7 Stow, b. , dau. of Peter 6 Stow
(Serg. Nathaniel 5 , Nathaniel 4 , John 3 , Thomas 2 , John 1 ). He pur-
chased the house in Middletown which stood till a few years ago
where the Catholic school stands; was a hatter; became sea cap-
tain, lost his vessel in an uprising in Hayti, but saved his life by
giving the Masonic sign of distress, the leader of the negroes be-
ing a Mason. He ret. to his home, and soon rem. to region of
Lansingburg, N. Y. where his father and brothers had gone. His
Masonic lambskin apron, band painted, owned by his grand-
daughter. Miss M. S. Ranney, of Austin, Minn., was on exhibition
in 1904 at the reunion of the Society of Middletown Upper Houses.
The widow went to Kentucky with her children and died in Liver-
more, Ky., Dec. 6, 1867. She was known as " Mehitable " Ranney.
and in deeds had signed her name as Mehitable Ranney.
Children :
Charles, b. — — ; d. Dec. 19, 1791.
Lucretia, bapt. Nov. 19, 1801; m. Pearly Sharp. Children:
William, Mary. Emma, in. Sehenck ; res. Maywood, ill.
226 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Charles, bapt. Nov. 19, 1801; d. Dec. 19, 1801.
Joseph, bapt. Nov. 19, 1801 ; d. Dec. 5, 1801.
William, bapt. Nov. 19, 1801 ; d. same day.
Charles, b. ; d. unm. 1836, Newburyport, Mass.
204 William W. b. Sept. 5, 1805.
Clarissa, b. ; m. Joseph Peters. Children: Wil-
liam, Joseph, John. Jane, Mary.
205 Abigail, b. June 15, 1810; m. Lysander Button.
Mary, b. ; m. Edwin Lawrence of Newburyport,
Mass. Children: Charles, Mary, Albert.
206 James Stow, b. July 15, 1812.
85 Hezekiah 5 Ranney (Hezekiah 4 , Joseph 3 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ),
b. Jan. 17, 1774, Upper Houses; m. Mary Richardson, b. May 30,
1797, Middletown, dau. of Roland Richardson and Elizabeth Pier-
pont. They were members of the Methodist Church. He was a
tanner and shoemaker, a natural combination for those times. He
rem. to Edinburgh, N. Y., later to Rochester, and then to Geneseo,
becoming a merchant. Died there Aug. 4, 1857.
Children:
207 Jabez, b. 1799.
Roland, b. — — ; d. at sea, 1856.
George, b. — — ; d. Apr. 8, 1828.
Joseph, b. — ; d. July 18, 1823.
Eliza, b. ; d. Dec. 30, 1809.
208 Maria, 1). ; m. Joseph Dewey.
Harriet, b. ; 711. [saac Newton.
86 Roderick 5 Ranney ( Hezekiah 4 , Joseph 3 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ),
b. Mar. 24, 1780, Upper Houses; m. (1) July 1, L802, Sally' Dan-
forth. b. July 1. L785, Middletown, d. duly L7, 1*15, Kingsbury,
N. Y., dau. of Joseph 6 Danforth (Thomas 5 , Thomas*, Samuel 8 ,
Samuel 2 , Nicholas 1 ) and Sarah King; m. (2) Mar. LI, 1816,
Elizabeth Bylan. lie rem. to Lansingburg, N. Y. and to Stafford
near Batavia, settling on the Holland Purchase when the country
was new and d. there Jan. !», L857. The four children were bap-
tized Sept. 10, 1809, by the Epis. rector of Middletown. "while
on a \ nil from New York."
( 7/ ildren :
209 Roderick Eartshorn, b. .
210 Jacob Lansing, b. Apr. 26, 1807.
Sally, b. ; d. at 16 years.
Martha Danforth, l>. ; m. David B. Smalley.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 227
87 David Stocking 5 Ranney (Hezekiah 4 , Joseph 3 , Joseph 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Apr. 22, 1787, Upper Houses; m. Sept. 12, 1812,
Ann K. Gardner, b. May 15, 1789, Boston, Mass.; d. Aug. 26, 1877,
Boston. He rem. with his father to Edinburg, N. Y. ; Rem. to
Boston where he m. Took part in the defence of Boston in War of
1812. Unitarian. Was a furniture merchant many years; d.
Oct. 23, 1864, Chelsea, Mass., buried in Mt. Auburn Cem., Cam-
bridge, Mass.
CIi ildren :
David Gardner, b. Dec. 18, 1813; d. Mar. 23, 1815.
214 David Gardner, b. Feb. 2, 1816.
Ann, b. May 28, 1818; d. Mar. 7, 1819.
Franklin Gardner, b. Dec. 4, 1820; d. unm. June 4, 1870,
Boston.
William Henry, b. Apr. 5, 1823.
88 Horatio Gates 5 Ranney (Hezekiah 4 , Joseph 3 , Joseph 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Dec. 25, 1799; m. Minerva S. Coon, dan. of Al-
basinda Coon. Merchant in Cleveland, 0.
Children:
Charles Horatio, b. Jan. 19, 1836; m. Apr. 19, 1868.
Elizabeth T. Bowen, b. Oct. 4, 1844, dau. of David and
Mary Williams Bowen. Served in Co. A, 7th Ohio,
and Co. F, 124th Ohio Vol. Inf. Res. Cleveland, Ohio,
Children:
Marv A., b. July 29, 1870; d. Aug. 11, 1870.
George W., b. Jan. 2, 1872; d. Apr. 30, 1872.
George C, b. Jan. 29, 1874; d. Mar. 10, 1877.
John G., b. Sept. 23, 1875 ; d. Sept. 28, 1875.
Infant, b. Apr. 8, 1880; still born.
Olive, b. 1838; m. John L. Gossen ; dau. m. Chas. H. Wil-
liams. Res. Cleveland, 0.
Julia, b. 1840; m. A. J. Stevens. Res. .
John C. b. 1844; d. 1863.
88a Svlvester 5 Ranney (Hezekiah 4 , Joseph 3 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ).
b. Aug. 2, 1802, Saratoga Co., N. Y. ; m. 1834, Rochester,
N. Y., Ann Stillwell, b. June 4, 1811, New Jersey; d. 1902, Cleve-
land, O., dau. of William Stillwell and Elizabeth Bachelder. He
engaged with his brother, Horatio, and stepbrother, Orrin Sage,
in the shoe business at Ballston, and then at Rochester, N. Y.
Rem. with Horatio to Cleveland where they conducted a shoe busi-
ness. Rep. Baptist; d. Apr. 15, 1879, Cleveland.
228 UIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES
Children :
212 William Stillwell, b. Feb. 10, 1835.
Helen, b. Jan. 29, 1839 ; m. Fitch Adams.
89 Ensign Daniel Rannev 5 Hamlin ( Luc-ret i a 4 Ranney, Capt.
Daniel 3 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ),'^. July 23, 1755, Middietown; m.
Aug. 1, 1779, Ruth Ward (from Ensign William 1 Ward). Served
in 8th Co., Col. Comfort Sage's 3d Battalion, Brig. Gen. Wads-
worth's Brigade, 1776; in Col. Samuel Webb's Regt. serg. May 24.
1777; ensign May 16, 1778—1779; rem. to New Hartford, N. Y.,
where he died 1809.
His youngest child was Daniel Ranney" Hamlin. 1). Aug. 30,
1800, New Hartford, N. Y. He rem. to Buffalo where he assisted
in the ceremonies incident to the reception of Gen. Lafayette;
d. July 23, 1881. His fourth child, Harriet Cornelia 7 Hamlin, b.
Aug. 24, 1842, Buffalo, N. Y. ; m. there, June 13, 1876. Dr. Dugald
Macniel, b. 1845, Argyleshire, Scotland. Rep., Freemason, A. 0.
U. W., Buffalo Med. Club ; she grad. of Buffalo Seminary ; Presby. ;
D. A. R. He died Mar. 1884. Widow resides in Buffalo,
N. Y. Children:
Caroline Huntington, b. Apr. 3, 1877, an artist. Res.
Buffalo, N. Y.
Elizabeth Hamlin, b. June 18, 1881; m. Aug. 26, 1903,
Charles Morgan Olmstead. Ph.D., b. Jan. 19, 1881, LeK'ov.
N. Y., son of John Bryant Olmstead. Grad. 1903, Har-
vard. Scientific astronomer at the Carnegie Observatory,
Mt. Wilson, Cal. She grad. Smith Coll. Children: Du-
gald Macniel, b. Mar. 21, 1901. Germany. John Bar-
ton, b. July 5. 1905, Germany.
90 Esther 8 Hamlin (Lucretia* Ranney, Daniel 8 , Joseph'-.
Thomas 1 ), b. July 10, L759, Middletown; m. Oct. 7. 1784, Ahner
Eubbard, l>. Mai-, m. L750, sou of George and Mary Eubbard.
Serg. Maj. in Capt. Warner's Co., Col. John Durkee's tsl lout.,
(un,, I. in,., Oct. 1, 1780— Dec. 31, L781. Pension, June 21,
L821, signed by John c. Calhoun, Sec'v of War. Rem. to Nor-
wich, Vt.. where ho «1. Mar. 13. is;;i: Un> .1. July •>:;. is:;i;. of
their children :
213 Gen. Abner 8 Eubbard, b. July L9, 1792.
91 Mary 8 Eamlin (Lucretia 4 Ranney, Daniel 8 , Joseph 2 ,
Mrs. Zenana Amki.ia (Kawiyi
(See page 2G1)
JoNi
[ves W'iii i am Hart
page 229)
V.USTIH Shekmak I! an niy
(See page 149)
i.i 1,1 Frank Rannei
■ page 361 I
l.'l V. I II. \\. Mm, KIN,.. I). I).
fSee page 692)
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 229
Thomas 1 ), b. 1760, Middletown ; m. Dec. 16, 1784, Benj. Gilbert,
b. July 29, 1760, private 8th Co., 3d Batt. Wadsworth's Brigade,
pensioned. She d. June 23, 1826; he d. May 11, 1846, of their
Children :
Mary Gilbert, b. Oct. 11, 1785; m. Sept. 14, 1807, Samuel
Miller. Children:
Dr. Phineas T. Miller, b. May 3, 1810; m. Aug. 31. 1833,
Elvira Whitmore. He d. at sea, Feb. 21. 1850. Child:
Ellen Elvira, b. Sept. 14, 1837; m. Oct. 8, 1855, Avery
Case. Child :
Idella Maria Case, b. June 17, 1857; m. W. W. Wil-
liams, who d. Mar. 7, 1900. She res. Winsted, Ct.
Harriet Gilb&t Miller, b. Mar. 3, 1812; d. Jan. 14, 1897;
m. May 14, 1840, Daniel Hall* Hart. Children:
Ives Williams, b. Oct. 4, 1841, Meriden, Conn. ; m. Nov.
24, 1870, Mrs. Ellen Lane, dau. of Russell and Mabel
(Munger) Tooley, b. Mar. 7, 1840. Res. Meriden, Ct.
Child: Arthur Miller, b. May 20, 1872; m. Nov. 18,
1896, Catherine Jane Owen, b. July 8, 1872. Res.
Meriden, Ct. Child: Owen Stephen, b. Sept. 23, 1898.
Ellen Delia, b. Nov. 23, 1842, unm. Res. Meriden, Ct.
Edmund Benjamin, b. Dec. 31, 1845; d. Jan. 26, 1905; m.
Sept. 23, 1878; Harriet Beecher Denison, b. Dec. 24,
1853, d. Jan. 26, 1889. Children:
Edmund Denison, b. Oct. 26, 1879 ; d. July 28, 1882.
Harriet Edith, b. July 16, 1883; m. Oct. 19, 1904,
Arthur O. Lamb. Res. Greenfield, Mass.
Anna Eliza, b. Jan. 20, 1889 ; d. Apr. 9, 1889.
Albert Denison, b. Jan. 20, 1889.
Orrin Gilbert, b. Apr. 9, 1793 ; m. June 7, 1832, Mary Bacon,
b. May 8, 1806.
* Daniel Hall Hart, b. June 19, 1815. d. Oct. 2, 1891, was the son of
Samuel Ives Hart and Abigail Hall.
Samuel Ives Hart, b. Nov. 22, 1702, d. Sept. 10, 1870, the son of
Benjamin Hart, a Rev. soldier, and Jerusha Rich, was an industrious
farmer, a deacon of the First Baptist church of Meriden, of which his
wife was a member.
Abigail Hall, b. Aug. 25, 1703, d. Dec. 12, 1875, was the daughter of
Daniel and Elizabeth Hall and the great-granddaughter of Dr. Isaac
Hall, one of Meriden's earliest physicians. Isaac Hall, her grandfather,
served in the Rev. Army, was one of the 13 original members, and the
first clerk of the First Baptist church of Meriden.
These Halls descended from John* Hall of Hartford. New Haven, and
Wallingford, and is not to be confounded with John* Hall, Senior, of
Hartford and Middletown.
230 MIDDLETOWX UPPEK HOUSES
Henry Gilbert, b. Mar. 27, 1842; m. (2) Nov. 26, 1874,
M i randa Wilcox. Ch ild :
Lucy Mary Gilbert, b. Dec. 18, 1880; m. Jan. 1, 1901,
Chas/A. Congdon. Res. Middletown, Ct. Child:
Frederick Gilbert Congdon.
92 William 5 Ranney (Jonathan 4 , Jonathan 3 , Joseph 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Nov. 30, 1783, Middletown, Ct. ; m. Nov. 16, 1808,
Clarissa Gaylord, b. Jan. 22, 1789, Upper Houses, dau. of Samuel
Gaylord, a Rev. patriot, and Azubah Atkins. He was a sea captain
and was lost at sea Feb., 1829. She was adm. Dec. 7, 1827, to the
South Cong. Ch. of Middletown and d. Dec. 16, 1863.
Children :
213a Clarissa Gaylord, b. Aug. 26, 1809 ; m. Aug. 3, 1838, Zebu-
Ion Hale Baldwin, died in Friendship, N. Y., Aug. 14,
1886. Child:
William Ranney, b. Oct. 21, 1840; grad. 1862, Wesleyan
Uni.; m. Sept. 15, 1863, Laura Malinda Prior. 'He
was ord. Apr. 17, 1877; pastor 5 yrs. of Baptist
Ch., Oxford, N. Y. Beld various parishes until
Dec. 21, 1896, when health failed. Died June 26.
1906, Friendship, N. Y. Widow res. Friendship, N". Y.
One child.
214 William, b. May 9, 1813.
Richard Atkins, b. Aug. 29, 1815; d. unm. Jan. 13, 1859.
Elizabeth Nott, b. July 27, 1822 ; d. June 29, 1874; m. Mar.
21, 1868, John Drake of Middletown.
93 Margaret 5 Ranney (Ebenezer 4 , Ebenezer 3 , Ebenezer-,
Thomas 1 ), b. Dec. 23, 1774, Upper Houses, bapt. Jan. 1, 1775;
m. Aug. 24, 1801. ('apt. John Keith, b. Dec. 4, 1775, d. at sea
1803, eldest son of William Keith and Polly Lions Callahan, b.
in Cork, Ireland. In 1799 ('apt. Keith purchased the L763 house
built by John 8 Sage. It became his home at marriage in 1801.
Since then it has been tin 1 Ranney-Adams homestead, having de-
scended in die female line to the presenl occupants. Nov. 6, L805.
the widow in. ('apt. John Collin- who was losl at sea in 1813. In
that year her young nephew, .lame- Ranney, became her child as if
by adoption and they were not separated till her death on Thanks-
giving Day, 1869, falling that year on Nov. l!». almost 95 years
of age. She was in her early widowhood noted for her care of
the aeighboring sick. For over 30 years she sat in winter by the
lire without a care and without a frown, beloved by the erand-
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RAXNEY 231
children of her protege. After the age of 80 she had no need to
call a physician. On the day of her death she ate breakfast with
the family and spoke of the home coming of the Adams children
to the feast. Then she laid herself down to rest and gently
breathed her last. As they approached the house the crape on the
door startled the children, not knowing what it betokened. As
she lav in her coffin there was not a wrinkle on her placid face.
Her only child, Margaret Collins, b. Dec. 6, 1810, d. Nov. 20. 1895,
unm., having lived from birth to death under the one roof.
94 James 5 Ranney (Ebenezer 4 , Ebenezer 3 , Ebenezer 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), bapt. Nov. 10, 1782, Upper Houses; m. May 13, 1802,
Epis. Ch. Middletown, Elizabeth Collins Keith, b. May 22, 1782,
Middletown, dau. of William Keith and Polly Lions Callahan.
His father built for him the " Bugbee " house on the north quarter
of the original Ranney homestead. He was a sea captain and died
on his ship, Jan. 23, 1805 " in Carolina." The widow d. of con-
sumption Sept. 11, 1813. She gave her son James to his aunt
Margaret Ranney Collins, and her son William to his grandfather.
Children:
William Keith, bapt. Apr. 14, 1805; unm.; drowned from
a vessel, Aug. 12, 1839.
215 James, b. Feb. 17, 1805.
SIXTH GENERATION.
95 Moses 6 Ranney (Thomas Stow 5 , Jeremiah*, Thomas 3 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. May 14, 1799, Brentwood. \. H.; m. Jan.
26, 1826, North Newport,' Me., Hannah Reed Steward, b. July
22, 1805, Norridgewock, Me.; d. June 30, 1892, Stetson, Me.,
dau. of Thomas Steward and Nancy Bicknell. Farmer; Rep.;
Univ. He d. June 15, 1877, Stetson, Me.
Children:
Thomas Stow, b. July 19, 1827; d. Apr. 23, 1877, unm.
216 Moses Hook, b. June 27, 1830.
211 Stephen Steward, b. Jan. 30, 1833.
Nancy Steward, b. Jan. 30, L833, unm. Res. Bangor. Me.
Hannah Jane, b. July 26, 1839; m. Henrv Johnson; d.
Dec. 22, 1870. No children.
218 Laura Albina, b. Mar. 12, 1846; m. Chas. W. Crockett.
96 Hannah Ranney (Thomas Slow 5 . Jeremiah*, Thomas 3 ,
Thomas-, Thomas 1 ), b. Sept. 4, 1801, Brentwood, N. H.; m. Sept.
6, 1821, Stetson, Me., Samuel Stetson, b. Jan. 12, 1793, Randolph,
Mass.; Whig; farmer. He d. 1853, Stetson, Me. She, Baptist,
d. 1876, Stetson, Me.
Children:
Irene, b. Aug. 8, 1822; m. Ralph C. Eveleth.
219 Rebecca, b. Sept. 13, 18*34; m. Henry V. French.
Nancy, b. May 23, 1827; m. (1) Dr. J. H. Turner; (2) F.
0. How-ard.
Samuel Ranney, b. Apr. 5, 1834; d. , Augusta, Me.
97 Thomas Stow 8 Ranney (Thomas Stow 5 , Jeremiah*,
Thomas 8 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Dec. 7, 1810, Brentwood, N.
H.; m., 1836, Stetson, Me.. Sarah Allen, b. Nov. 3, L812, Stetson,
Me. ; dau. of Thorndike Allen and Sarah Cole. Rep.; Univ. He d.
Mar. 19, 1868, Winn, Me. She d. Sept. L8, L890, Winn, Me.
Children :
219a George Stetson, b. Feb. 28, L840.
Eannah Book, b. 1842.
220 [rene Stetson, b. Mar. 13, 1856; m. Wm. E. Young. Res.
Portland, Me.
339
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 233
220a Thorndike Allen, b. Oct. 28, 1857.
98 Nathan 6 Eanney (Nathan 5 , Jeremiah 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Apr. 27, 1797, Bethlehem, Conn.; m. Oct. 31, 1827,
St. Louis, Mo., Amelia Jane Shackford, b. July 26, 1809, Ports-
mouth. N. H.; d. Feb. 18, 1882, St. Louis, Mo., dau. of John
Shackford and Jane Smallcorn. He d. Aug. 21, 1876, Montreal,
Canada, while on a visit there.
At sixteen years of age he enlisted in the war against England
against the remonstrance of his friends and refused a discharge
which his uncle, Lieut. Col. Stephen Eanney of the 4th U. S. In-
fantry, offered to obtain for him.
This desire of serving his country in battle was soon gratified
for he "was one of three hundred Americans who cut their way
through a greatly superior British force near Plattsburgh, and was
one of the forlorn hope who crossed the Saranac river under the
range of a British battery to a thick underbrush of dry pine. He
was severely wounded in this gallant exploit; but in a little while
after, wishing to distinguish himself by an act still more daring,
he took twenty choice men, and in the dead hour of the night
successfully surprised a town in possession of a large British force,
and carried off three prisoners of rank, without the loss of a
single man.
" The gallant bearing of young Eanney soon won for him the
respect of his commanding officers, and he was quickly promoted,
first as sergeant, and afterwards as provost marshal ; and his con-
duct throughout the whole war showed that patriotism alone in-
fluenced his services, and not a love for military promotion. A
few years after leaving the army, desirous of making for himself
a name and fortune, he came to St. Louis in 1819 and commenced
commercial pursuits.
" In the year 1827, two important events occurred in his life,
and which have greatly administered to his happiness — he married
in that year Miss Amelia J. Shackford — and became likewise
wedded to the Presbyterian Church. His marriage has been
blessed with a large family of children, and in the church of which
he is such an efficient member, he has long been an elder.
" Though born in an Eastern State, and under a cold clime,
General Eanney is neither a Northern nor a Southern maniac, but
a conservative man, and his heart is as warm as a summer's sun.
In 1836, General Eanney was appointed by Governor Dunklin,
Brigadier-General in the Missouri Militia. In 1842, he was presi-
dent pro tempore of the Board of Aldermen fof St. Louis] and
for years president of the board of Public Schools. In 1851 he
234 MIDDLETOWN UPPEE HOUSES
delivered an eloquent address at Burlington, Iowa, declaring him-
self a Union man. In 1855, he addressed the convention of the
soldiers of 1812 at Philadelphia. In 1856, he spoke at a large
American meeting in St. Louis; and there are very few his equal
in a stump speech. In 1857, when the financial panic caused the
money of other states to be refused, he called a meeting of mer-
chants, and restored confidence in foreign currency, and thereby
saved many frightened individuals from falling a prey to the
money sharks, who, on such occasions, are always ready to make a
glorious feast.
"In his military career General Ranney showed himself ready
and fearless in action, patriotic in his aims, and kind and sympa-
thizing as a soldier and as an officer. In political life he is never
violent, but while he is firm and frank in the expression of his
principles, he is at all times courteous to all holding opinions differ-
ing from his own. In the civil positions which he has filled he
has been marked for his attention, his industry, and his clear and
discriminating judgment; and any office he holds, he never makes
it a sinecure, but holds it as a responsible trust, and attends, with
the most scrupulous exactness, to its minutest details. As a friend
he is confiding and generous; and as a merchant, his present
affluence, gathered amid uncertain fluctuations of commercial life,
is an evidence of the possession of the requisites adapted to that
respectable but precarious pursuit.
"With the exception of Mr. Henry Von Phul, senior, General
Ranney is the oldest merchant in St. Louis now living, and the
store and warehouse of Shackford and Ranney were, for a long
time, the only buildings of the kind on the levee, consequently, he
has heen a resident of St. Louis from its infancy, and his exertions
and example have helped its growth and assisted its advance.
Though upward of threescore years of age, from his regular life
he is still hale and vigorous, and is now the cashier and general
agent of the St. Louis, Cairo and New Orleans Railroad Line of
steamers, and is always to be found, during business hours giving
hie attention to the important position he knows so well how to
fill. He is president of the Missouri Bible Society, and in all of
the relations of his diversified Life there is not a stain resting upon
his character." — From Edwards' " Great West"
He was one of the founders of the Missouri Historical Society,
I *(!<;, and ds second presided from L869 to L872.
Children:
John Shackford. I,. July 31, L828; d. Sept. 22, 1837.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 235
Ann Augusta, b. Aug. 24, 1830; d. June 28, 1831.
Louisa Jane Hawthorne, b. Feb. 17, 1832; m. James H.
Goodman.
Julia Kingsbury, b. Sept. 2, 1834; m. James K. Garniss.
221 Maria Kerr, b. Nov. 14, 1836; m. Chas. W. Hale..
John Shackford, b. Nov. 13, 1838; d. Apr. 5. 1839.
Nathan William, b. Feb. 27, 1840; d. June 17, 1845.
John Shackford, b. July 22, 1842; d. July 22, 1842.
Ann Amelia Shackford, b. Dec. 12, 1843 ; m. James H.
Wallace.
222 Charlotte Ella, b. Nov. 24, 1845; m. George J. Cochran.
Howard, b. Sept. 12, 1848.
Gertrude, b. Dec. 13, 1850; m. James F. Armstrong. Ees.
Crawbrook, British Columbia.
John Mudgett, b. Oct. 16, 1653 ; d. Sept. 20, 1866.
Cornelia Shackford, b. Feb. 17, 1856; d. July 25, 1856.
99 Nathaniel Cole 6 Eanney (Nathan 5 , Jeremiah 4 , Thomas 8 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. ; m. Minerva Merritt, dau. of
Peter Merritt of Fair Haven, Vt. He rem. 1831, to Angelica, N. Y.
Thence about 1861 to Marshall, Mich. Children:
Harriet, b. ; m. East. Ees. Marshalltown, la.
Harrison Dayton, b. . Ees. Weston, Ohio. Chil-
dren :
Charles Caton. Ees. Sacramento, Cal.
Albert Dayton. Ees. Blue Hills, Nev. MeL
Harrison W. Ees. Kansas City, Kan.
Mary A., m. Hobart. Ees. Eiverton, Neb.
Edwin C. Business, 27 Pearl St., N. Y. City.
Harriet Elizabeth, m. — Langlev. Ees. Bayonne, N. J.
Florence Minerva, unm. Ees. Bayonne, N. J.
Julia, b. Jan. 26, 1842.
223 Julius Merritt, b. Jan. 26, 1842.
100 Caleb Barnes 6 Eanney (Nathan 5 , Jeremiah 4 , Thomas 3 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. 1807, Whitehall, N. Y.; m. Charlotte Kit-
tredge, b. Salem, Mass., dau. of Oliver Kittredge and Mary Hamil-
ton. Farmer.
Children :
Mary, b. May 5, 1832, Fair Haven, Vt.; d. Jan. 10, 1895;
m. Feb. 12, 1856, Reuben Trowbridge Ellis, b. Dec. 27,
1827, Fair Haven, Vt. ; d. June 16, 1898, Hampton,
N. Y .; farmer. Children:
236 MIDDLETOWN UPPEE HOUSES
Charles Ranney, b. Oct. 13, 1856; m. May 7, 1877,
Eound Lake, N. Y., Mabel Francis Wilson, b. May 7,
1877, dau. of Albert Wilson and Mary Jane Miller.
Ees. Fair Haven, Vt. Children:
Mary Pearl, b. Nov. 27, 1898.
Albert Eeuben. b. May 31, 1900.
Oliver Kittredge, b. Mar. 8, 1834, Fair Haven Vt. : m.
(1) Jennie Moore, (2) Bessie Moore, sisters, daus.
of John and Eliza Moore. Children:
Hattie, b. ; m. John H. Williams. Ees. Rutland,
Vt.
Herbert K, b. ; m. Emily Knight. Ees. Way-
land, Mass.
Charles M, b. ; unm., lawver. Ees. Boston, Mass.
Fred Oliver, b. Nov. 22, 1872 ; m. Sept. 1, 1901, Annie
Lacey, b. 1874. Eep. ; Meth. ; I. 0. 0. F. ; farmer.
Ees. Windsor, Vt.
Arthur Edward, b. ; unm. Ees. West Windsor,
Vt.
101 Martha Pattv 6 Eanney (Solomon 5 , Jeremiah 4 . Thomas 3 .
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Apr. 15, 1786, Bethlehem, Ct. ; m. Aug.
13, 1804, Harvev Davis, b. Apr. 28, 1780; d. Feb. 6, 1861. She d.
Mar. 6, 1876. Kortright, N. Y.
Children :
Pollv, b. Jan. 27, 1806.
John, b. Feb. 4, 1808; d. Sept. 20, 1880.
Eliza, b. July 4, 1812; d. Apr. 18, 1838.
Jacob, b. Nov. 10, 1814; d. Apr. 28, 1838.
224 William, b. Jan. 1, 1817.
Solomon, b. Sept. 4, 1819.
Catherine, b. Aug. 13, 1821.
Harvey, b. May 2, 1824; d. Sept. 83, 1897.
Ferris, b. Aug. 24, 1826; d. , 1892.
225 Andrew Jackson, b. Nov. 24, 1828.
Stephen, b. Aug. 4, 1832; d. Dec. 18, 189] ; in. Oct. 9, L856,
Ellen Aitkm.
102 Jeremiah Eannev 6 (Stephen 5 , Jeremiah 4 , Thomas 3 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Jan. 15, 17.sc, Bethlehem, Conn.; m.
Jan. 1, 1810, Susan Beach, b. Feb. :. 1787; d. Oct. 87, L821,
near Jackson, Mo. Il<' was a fanner residing at Bethlehem,
Conn.: Eartwick, X. V.; and d. Afar. 18. 1855, Jackson, Mo.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 237
Children :
226 Eoyal, b. Dec. 10, 1810.
Susan Beach, b. Feb. 20, 1812; d. , 1855.
227 Johnson, b. Jan. 15, 1814.
Jeremiah, b. Feb. 27, 1816.
Asahel Beach, b. Sept. 20, 1818; d. , 1855.
103 Johnson 6 Banney (Stephen 5 , Jeremiah 4 , Thomas 3 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Dec. 19, 1789, Litchfield, Conn.; m. (1)
June 21, 1832, Mary Carter Gayle, b. Aug. 7, 1808; d. Apr. 6,
1833; m. (2) June 11, 1835, Emily Neale, b. May 15, 1810.
He was appointed an ensign in the 4th U. S. Infantry May 19,
1812, and accepted from Salisbury, Conn., June 7, 1812; was
promoted to the grade of second lieutenant, same regiment, May
30, 1813; first lieutenant of the same regiment, June 28, 1814,
and was honorably discharged the service June 15, 1815. In
the same year he went to Jackson, Mo., and began the prac-
tice of the law, but there was prejudice even then, against him as
a " Yankee." By economy, diligence, hard study and natural
ability he accumulated what was considered a fortune in those
days. While not an orator he had a thorough knowledge of law,
an analytical turn of mind, a faculty for questioning a witness.
He stood with Greer Davis, Gen. English, Gen. Nathaniel Watkins
(half brother to Henry Clay), Gen. Buckner, of Indiana and
Thomas H. Benton, of Mo. Gen. Buckner on returning to In-
diana said to Gen. Stephen Banney of his son Johnson, " He is
the best lawyer in Missouri except myself." His courage was
shown in defending a penniless negro charged with murder — and
liable to be mobbed for so doing.
In his personal appearance he was unprepossessing, amounting
to ugliness. It is related of him that while going on horseback
from Jackson, Mo., to New Madrid, Mo., to attend court, he was
hailed by a lady who without ceremony began to relate her troubles.
As soon as he discerned the tendency of her remarks he informed
her that she should speak to Judge Cook of the Circuit Court.
" Why," she said, " you are Judge Cook." " No, madam, I am
Johnson Banney." " Well," she replied, " I was told to watch the
road this morning for the ugliest man I ever saw and you are
that man."
He was somewhat negligent of his attire and while arguing an
important case before the Supreme Court one of the judges rep-
rimanded him for disrespect to the court in appearing before it
in such slovenly attire. The next morning Mr. Ranney appeared
in court dressed like a dandy. " May it please the court " he said
238 MIDDLETOWtf UPPER HOUSES
as he resumed the argument, " before proceeding I should like to
know if the fastidious taste of the court interposes any obstacle
to my recognition/' Eccentric and peculiar in many of his ways
he was an affectionate husband and father and after his own
father's death in 1827 he cared for his younger brothers as though
they were his own children. In politics he was a Whig. He
died Nov. 11, 1849, Jackson, Mo.
Children:
228 Johnson Camp, b. June 15, 1836.
Thomas Neale, b. Sept. 19. 1837; law student at Harvard.
1860, killed, 1865, by Federal troops after he had sur-
rendered.
229 Mary Gayle, b. Jan. 7, 1840; m. John Beardslee.
Warren Davis, b. Dec. 31, 1841; d. Apr. 24, 1842.
Ellen Davis, b. Sept. 12, 1844; d. Jan. 29, 1845.
104 Hannah Cooper 6 Ranney (Stephen 8 , Jeremiah 4 , Thomas 3 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Jan. 11, 1811, Litchfield, Ct.; m. Willis
McGuire. She d. in Jackson, Mo. ; he in Chico, Texas.
Child:
William Eanney, b. ; m. . Children:
William Sanford, John Ranney, Eobert Lee. Ees.
Chico, Texas.
105 William Caton 6 Eanney (Stephen 5 , Jeremiah 4 , Thomas 3 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Feb. 20, 1815, Whitehall, N. Y.; m. Dec.
10, 1846. Maplewood, Mo., Elizabeth Giboney, b. July 11, 1818,
Maplewood, Mo., dau. of Eobert Giboney and Ann Dunn. Eobert
Giboney had been granted a large tract of land near Cape Girar-
deau by the Spanish government because of the fact that he was
a blacksmith.
William Caton Eanney came from Jeffersonville, Ind., in 1825
to Jackson, Mo., locating on a farm one and a half miles north
of that place Ee Becured a good common school education, which
was supplemented with a course at St. Mary's College in Perry
County, Mo. When twelve years of age he secured a position in
the office of the Circuit Clerk ami when fifteen years of age was
appointed Deputy Circuit Clerk of Cape Girardeau County which
he held for a number of years, after which he read law with his
brother Johnson Ranney. Was admitted to the bar about 1840.
First located at New Madrid. Mo., remaining there about a year.
Ee then located at Benton, Mo., remaining there about two years.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 239
when his brother Johnson offered him a partnership which he ac-
cepted, holding it until his brother's death in 1848. Continued
his practice of his profession, attending all Courts in Southeast
Missouri, going from one County to another on horseback, then
almost the only means of travel here, until the establishment of
the Cape Girardeau Court of Common Pleas of Cape Girardeau
County by act of the Legislature of 1852 when he was named as
the first Judge and which office he continued to hold by succes-
sive election until the outbreak of the Civil War.
His first vote was cast with the Whig party and his last before
hostilities began between the States was cast for Bell and Everett.
He was strenuously opposed to secession, but after being robbed of
his property and imprisoned in the dark cellar of the Court House
in which he had presided, by the party with which he affiliated, he
joined the Democratic party, and as such was elected in 1871 to the
State Senate to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Senator
George H. Green, making the race against two Democrats and one
Republican, and winning out by a good majority.
After the expiration of his term in the Senate his friends in-
sisted on his becoming a candidate for Representative and to this
he was elected and served one term. He was made a member of
St. Mark's Lodge, F. A. M. in 1848. He died Feb. 28, 1898,
Cape Girardeau, Mo. She d. Jan. 9, 1900.
Children:
Stephen, b. Oct. 4, 1847, after attending the local school
was for four years a student of the Kentucky Military In-
stitute. In 1871 became a civil engineer in the employ
of the Illinois Central R. R. Co., whereby he contracted
the ague resulting in a cold which caused his death Feb.
27, 1875.
230 Robert Giboney, b. Dec. 15, 1849.
231 William Alexander, b. Dec. 23, 1852.
232 Herbert Hathorne, b. Nov. 14, 1855.
106 John Hathorne 6 Ranney (Stephen 5 , Jeremiah 4 , Thomas 3 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Feb. 5, 1818, Charleston, Ind.; m. Mar.
25, 1847, Benton, Mo., Clarissa Waters, b. Nov. 12, 1831, Tywap-
pity Bottoms, Mo., dau. of John Waters and Laura Ann Spear.
She d. Mar. 8, 1848, Benton, Mo.; m. (2) Aug. 8, 1850, Caroline
Wall, b. Apr. 15, 1821, Cape Girardeau, Mo.; d. May 20, 1902,
Commerce, Mo. At the age of seven his father removed to Jack-
son, Mo. From the age of nine on his father's death he lived with
his brother, Col. Johnson Ranney, and learned the trade of a tan-
240 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
ner at the " Old Tan Yard " near Jackson. When he reached his
majority he started a tan yard. In a few years he removed to a
farm near Kelso, but at the outbreaking of the Civil War he re-
moved his family for safety to Jackson, returning to the farm in
1865, where he remained till death. He was a man of firmness
and character, with many virtues. Returning with a friend one
night from a cider mill, they saw some ghosts in the cemetery.
His companion fled. He walked up to the ghost and as he raised
a bottle of cider to strike the ghost cried out, " Don't strike, John,
Don't Strike."
At the outbreak of the Civil War a gang of outlaws went to
his house to murder him. One ball grazed his scalp. He grabbed
an axe and charged the gang and put them to flight. On one oc-
casion a candidate for office seeking his support said to him, " Mr.
Ranney, you have known me all my life," And the answer was,
" Yes, and that is the reason I won't vote for vou." He d. Jan.
14, 1884, Kelso, Mo.
Child by 1st marriage:
John Hathorne, b. ■ , 1848'; d. 1869.
Children by 2d marriage:
233 Clarissa Waters, b. — , 1850; m. Joseph T. Anderson.
234 Amelia, b. Sept. 10, 1852, m. Reese G. Applegate.
235 Caroline Wall, b. Oct. 13, 1854; m. Wm. McKnight.
236 James Parham, b. Feb. 17, 1857.
Elizabeth, b. ; d. infancy.
Charles, b. ; d. infancy.
David, b. ; d. young.
107 Polly 6 Ranney (Julius 5 , Jeremiah 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Sept. 14, 1790, Bethlehem, Conn.; m. Jan., 1809,
Bethlehem, Conn., Iram Hawes, b. Sept. 20, 1786; d. Oct. 20.
1869, Cleveland, O.; Rep.; Presby. ; farmer in Danby. N. Y. till
1836, when he rem. to Chester, O.; rem. 1860 to Cleveland. She
d. Feb. 14, 1859, Chester, O.
Children:
Marietta, b. Jan. 14. 1810; m. Daniel Ennis.
Isaac, b. Sept. 24, 1811; d. Dec. 21, 1811.
Hannah, I). Oct. 5, 1812; m. Edward Kingman.
Jerusha, b. July 28, L81 1 ; m. John Packard.
Cornelia, b. Nov. 6, 1816; d. July 30, 183,8.
Oliver, b. Jan. 20, 1819; m. Sarah Bassett.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 241
Susan, b. Feb. 20, 1822 ; d. 1901 ; m. Geo. W. Lvnde.
Pollv, b. Feb. 23, 1827; d. Feb. 14, 1859; m. Win. Backus.
237 Harriet Palmer, b. June 27, 1832; m. James T. Wilson.
108 Lucy 6 Eanney (Julius , Jeremiah 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. July 19, 1794, Warren, Conn.; m. Dec. 22, 1811,
Warren, Conn., Eev. Urban 7 Palmer (Ezekiel 6 , Samuel 5 , Samuel 4 ,
Samuel 3 , Jonas 2 , Walter 1 ), b. July 7, 1787, Kent, Conn. He
entered the ministry and settled in Danby, New York, in 1812.
Went to Western Reserve, 0., for the Society of Evangelization,
finally settled in Chester, 0., where he d. Nov. 3, 1847. She d.
Nov. 16, 1838. (See Palmer Groups).
Children :
Chester, b. Dec. 13, 1812; m. Apr. 15, 1835, Achsah Smith
Melvin; 5th child was Lowell Mason, b. Mar. 11, 1845,
P. 0. address, 184 Front St., N. Y. City, compiler of
" Palmer Groups."
Harriet, b. May 10, 1815; d. June 23, 1831.
Jerusha, b. Feb. 2, 1818; d. Oct. 10, 1819.
Chalmers, b. Oct. 12, 1821; d. Julv 16, 1826.
Julius Eanney, b. Feb. 11, 1827 ; d. Feb. 25, 1830.
Julius Chalmers, b. July 9, 1829; d. Feb. 25, 1830.
Emeline, b. Apr. 10, 1831; d. May 12, 1832.
Edward Payson, b. Sept. 16, 1833; m. Delia Green.
109 Oliver 6 Eanney (Julius 5 , Jeremiah 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. September 16, 1796, Bethlehem, Conn.; m. Sept. 7,
1820, Chester, O., Lynda Adams, b. May 23, 1800, Genoa. N. Y. ;
d. Oct. 7, 1887, Chester, O., dau. of Samuel Adams and Amy Bos-
worth. Eep.; Presby.; farmer. He rem. 1819 to Chester, O.,
where he died Sept. 19, 1876. The following was printed at the
time of his death :
"Died at Mulberry Corners, Geauga County, Ohio, Sept, 14,
1876, Mr. Oliver Eanney, in the 80th year of his life, leaving a
widowed companion, with whom he had walked in loving and
helpful companionship for fifty-six years; leaving also one son and
two daughters, having gathered them about his bed to receive
his dying and Christian benediction; leaving also grandchildren,
who now will have to say, ' We had a grandfather who feared God
for many years, and who, dying, asked us all to meet him in
heaven ' ; leaving also a community in which, for a period of 58
years, he has been an upright, worthy and leading citizen, now
242 MIDDLETOWN" UPPER HOUSES
bereft of another of its pioneers; leaving a church to mourn Mm,
with whose interests he has, for forty-four years, been identified."
Children:
Emily Adams, b. Jan. 29, 1824; m. Feb. 2, 1842, Elihu
Oliver Lyman, b. June 12, 1817; d. Apr. 7, 1882. She d.
Apr. 19, 1901. Children: Flora Emily, Thomas Stow
Ranney, Frances Melissa, Frances Eliza, Tertius Cor-
nelius, Ernest Chalmers, Elmer Morris, Clara Theresa,
Elsie Ada, Alice Louisa, Elgin Osmer, Celia Allen.
238 Julius Butler, b. June 5, 1831.
Jerusha Alice, b. Mar. 18, 1840; unm. Res. Chesterland 0.
110 Thomas Stow 6 Ranney (Julius 6 , Jeremiah 4 , Thomas 3 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Aug. 22, 1802, Bethlehem, Conn.; m. (1)
Aug. 23, 1827, Maria Gager, b. Oct. 5, 1808; d. Rangoon. India,
1857; m. (2) Dec. 14, 1858, Mrs. Mary E. Whittaker, b. Nov.
1, 1829, Calcutta, India; widow of Rev. Daniel Whittaker and
daughter of Rev. Cephas Bennett and Stella Kneeland. He d.
May 13, 1886, Homer, N. Y. Widow d. 1906. His portrait at
eighty-two years of age is given herewith. His obituary as printed
by his pastor follows:
" Thomas Stow Ranney was born in Bethlehem. Conn., August
22, 1801. His mother was a widow at the time of his birth, his
father having died about six months previous. His mother was
left with small means, and the support of her babe and other de-
pendent children fell heavily upon her lone hands. Being a
woman of health and energy, she sought a western home, and
purchased a piece of land in the then wilderness woods of Danby,
Tompkins County, N. Y. Of early childhood Mr. Ranney always
spoke tenderly. By the industry and economy of his mother,
poverty was kept from the home, and early childhood with him
was a happy period. While the early Christian instructions of
his mother made a deep impression upon his life and character,
and had much to do in making him the man he was, it was not till
many years after, as a man in married life, about forty years of
age, that he gave personal attention to religion and accepted Christ
as a personal Saviour. At fifteen years of age he was apprenticed
to learn the printer's trade, his term of apprenticeship closing on
his twenty-first birthday. Not very long after he became fore-
man of the Albany Argus, which position he occupied about ten
years, and this brought him into associations with the leading
statesmen and politicians of the day — DeWitt Clinton, Martin
DESCEXDAXTS OP THOMAS RAXXEY 243
VanBuren, Ex-Governor Marcy and others of those times. On
leaving the Argus, Mr. Ranney assisted in establishing the Dutchess
Republican in Poughkeepsie, X. Y. In these positions he became
very familiar with political thought, as well as the political tricks
of the times. The Dutchess Republican was afterwards united
with the Poughkeepsie Eagle, of which Mr. Isaac Piatt was edi-
tor, with whom Mr. Ranney sustained a partnership most happily
for ten years, and an intimate and cordial acquaintance up to the
time of Mr. Piatt's death, which occurred in 1872.
" It was in Poughkeepsie, in the year 1840, that Mr. Ranney
was converted, and both himself and wife were buried with Christ
in baptism by Mr. Dickinson, and united with the Baptist Church.
This most literally opened a new life to him and surrounded him
with new influences. He himself says : ' My past political life be-
came more and more distasteful.' Two years later, an offer com-
ing from the American Baptist Missionary Union to go as a
printer to Burmah in charge of the society's press, he accepted the
offer, sailing in November, 1843. Arrived in Burmah, the first
two weeks were spent in the home of Dr. Judson, the great pioneer
missionary of the Baptist denomination; and a few years later,
in the providence of God, it was appointed Mr. Ranney to attend
Dr. Judson during his last sickness, and bury him in the ocean.
" Mrs. Ranne/s failing health required a visit to this country,
during which time the Board thought it best to recall Mr. Ranney,
intending when his wife should return to send him to Assam; but
he, not understanding the object of the recall, decided to resign
his connection with the Missionary Union, and upon doing so went
to Rangoon, where he engaged in a private enterprise doing gov-
ernment and job printing. Here he met with financial success,
and after a few years disposed of his office and business to the
Missionary Union and returned to America to spend his remaining
years.
" For twenty-four years he has been a resident of Homer and
a member of the Homer Baptist Church. He has been twice
married. The first Mrs. Ranney having died soon after her return
to Burmah, in due time he married Mrs. Mary E. Whitaker, daugh-
ter of the lately deceased Rev. Cephas Bennett, missionary printer,
who succeeded him in the mission press at Rangoon.
" As a citizen Mr. Ranney identified himself with whatever
advanced and improved the interests of our village. His counsel
was sought and his presence welcomed in all councils. He was a
faithful Christian, ready to bear his share of the burdens of the
church, of which he was a member. Besides his neighbors and
brethren in the church, who all sincerely mourn his loss, he leaves
244 MIDDLETOWN UPPEE HOUSES
a wife and two daughters. Ripe in years and rich in experience,
Thomas Stow Ranney has passed over the river, and ' his works
do follow.'"
111 William 6 Ranney (William 5 , Thomas 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 3 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. June 5, 1784, Westminster West, Vt. ; m. June 28,
1810, Elizabeth Wells, b. ; d. Mar. 28, 1874. Brookline,
Vt.; farmer, Cong.; d. Dec. 16, 1863, Brookline, Vt.
Children :
239 Joel, b. Mar. 15, 1811.
240 Rebecca, b. May 19, 1813; m. Jeremiah L. Perham.
Orange, b. May 15, 1817; d. Dec. 15. 1832.
241 Achsah, b. Dec. 30, 1820; d. Mar. 10, 1861; m. Daniel
Whitney.
Fanny, b. Mar. 7, 1824; d. Nov. 18, 1841.
Elizabeth, b. Mar. 15, 1826; d. Oct. 2, 1831.
242 Hannah, b. July 18, 1830; m. John Lamphear.
112 Stephen 6 Ranney (William 5 . Thomas 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Apr. 28, 1793, Westminster West, Vt.; m. Apr. 7,
1814, Salley S. Chandler, b. Oct. 23, 1793, Westminster; d. Feb.
19, 1864, dau. of Thomas Dow Chandler and Sarah Goold.
Farmer; Cong.; Rep.; d. Sept. 5, 1871, Westminster Wist.
Children :
243 Stephen Chandler, b. Jan. 29, 1815.
244 Amaziah Thomas, b. Apr. 10, 1817.
245 Wm. Erastus, b. Mar. 18, 1819.
246 Otis Lorenzo, b. July 16, 1821.
247 Lorin Little, b. Sept. 26. 1823.
Lydia Rosetta, b. Jan. 27, 1826; d. unm. Aug. 19, 1851.
Sarah Maria, b. July 27, 1828; d. unm. Sept. 19, 1844.
Eliza Serena, b. Mar. 29, 1831; d. unm. Dec. 28, 1902.
113' Ephraim 6 Ranney (Ephraim 5 , Ephraim 4 , Thomas 8 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Westminster West, Vt.; d. June 3. 1826,
mister West; m. Mercy Clark: widow rem. to Coventry.
Vt., where she d. Jan. 29, 1848.
Children:
Clark, b. Nov. 15, 1801; m. Apr. 15, 1825, Orpha Miller
and rem. 1827 to West Victory, Vt., said to have rem.
later to California.
Elmerina, b. Aug. 6, 1801; d. Jan. 29, 1805.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 245
248 Freeman, b. May 11, 1806.
249 Sullivan, b. Nov. 23, 1808.
249a Ephraim Fessenden, b. June 8, 1820.
114 Lydia 6 Ranney (Ephraim 6 , Ephraim 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Sept. 28, 1772, Westminster West, Vt.; d. July 20,
1859; m. Dea. Ebenezer Goodhue, son of a clergyman. Of their
Children:
Ehoda, b. ; m. (1) Alfred Eanney; (2) Samuel
Eanney.
Elizabeth, b. ; m. Elijah Bradford Ranney.
115 Rebecca 6 Ranney (Ephraim 5 , Ephraim 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 .
Thomas 1 ), b. Dec. 27, 1777; d. Aug., 1841; m. Jan. 20. 1799,
Gideon Warner.
Children:
Eugene, b. .
Narcissa. b. — ; m. Russell Ranney.
Octavia, b. ; m. Newman Perry.
116 Calvin 6 Ranney (Ephraim 5 , Ephraim 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Nov. 25, 1784, Westminster West, Vt.; m. Anna
Root. Rem. late in life to Algona, Iowa, to live with a daughter
where he d. Oct. 7, 1873. She d. Aug. 2, 1870, Westminster
West.
Children:
250 Helvann, b. Jan. 28, 1805; m. (1) Geo. W. Holland; m.
(2) W. Crowell.
Fanny Root, b. Feb. 5, 1807; d. 1812.
251 Rhoda Harlow, b. Mar. 29, 1809; m. Benjamin Clark.
Charles, b. May 18, 1824; m. Maria Stearns of Danville,
Vt. and d. June 9, 1862.
117 Hiram 6 Ranney (Ephraim 5 , Ephraim 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. June 4, 1792, Westminster West, Vt.; m. Jan. 27,
1819, Lydia Chase, who lived to be a centenarian and was of the
Chase family of the Mai/flower. The young couple began the
dairy farm life and sent the butter and cheese of 25 cows to the
Boston market. Having signed notes to accommodate a friend
he lost most of his property. Setting out in a covered wagon
they went in Oct. 1834, to Oxford County, Lower Canada, and
settled at Hagel's Corners. She was employed to teach, having
gone on horseback through the woods to St. Thomas, where she
246 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
was examined and authorized to teach. A log house was erected
and she began with 60 pupils, some of whom were young men over
21. She was the first teacher in that county. It was not long
before Mr. Ranney had 700 acres in one tract. She survived her
husband. A Salford Globe paper, not dated, contained her por-
trait at 100 years and gave the following:
" Mrs. Eanney has been a widow for the past thirty years and
has outlived all her children. Her grandchildren still living are :
Sullivan P. Ranney of Salford, Judson Harris of Ingersoll, Rev.
E. J. Harris, B.A., of Toronto, Mrs. Wm. Craig of Toronto, Mrs.
(Prof.) S. J. McKee of Brandon College and Mrs. (Rev.) G.
B. Davis of Hagersville.
" Mrs. Ranney has been a reader of The Globe since the days
of the Hon. George Brown, whom she had the privilege of enter-
taining in her own home."
118 Grant Willis 6 Ranney (Ephraim 15 , Ephraim 4 , Thomas*,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Mar. 25, 1804, Westminster West, Vt. ;
d. June 14, 1871, Westminster West; m. Mav 23, 1805, Anna Ma-
tilda Campbell, b. May 23, 1805; d. Mar. 1891; dau. of Edward E.
Campbell and Anna Norton.
Children :
252 Peyton, b. Nov. 29, 1826.
253 Mary Ann, b. July 20, 1828; m. Wm. B. Cutting.
Homer, b. Apr. 17, 1834; d. Mav, 1835.
Rhoda, b. Dec. 4, 1S36; d. Aug. 21, 1862; m. Judge Henry
S. Severance, succeeding Judge Wm. H. Taft.
Alfred Homer, b. Aug. 22, 1843, res. Kalamazoo, Mich.
119 Elijah 6 Rannev (Elijah 5 . Ephraim 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas-.
Thomas 1 ), b. Sept. 15, 1773, Westminster West, Vt.; m. Nov.
10, 1791, Lydia Crawford, dau. of James Crawford and Grace
Carpenter, "a woman of great mental and physical energy/'
James Crawford was a soldier of the Revolution. At sundown ho
heard of the battle of Lexington. Before sunrise he had started
to join the gathering forces, leaving a son of 9 years with the
wife to clear the burnt field and sow the grain. In the autumn
he obtained a few weeks on furlough to gather in the crops. \\ 'In m
that son was 90 years of age he would say, "I chopped the wood
and drove the steers, mother helped to Load and we kept warm all
winter."
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 247
Like his father and grandfather, Elijah Ranney, Jr. was a
deacon. It was written by the Rev. A. Stevens of him and of
Ebenezer Goodhue, a grandson of Deacon Ephraim 4 , " the former
was slow in his plans and execution, the latter was hasty; both
were good, determined men and did not easily give up a measure
they had attempted to carry. The Scotchman's prayer was ap-
propriate for them both : ' Lord, keep me right, for thou knowest
I cannot change.' " Dr. Stevens on his 40th anniversary as pastor
at Westminster West, Feb. 22, 1883, said : " In the body pews at
the right sat Deacon Ebenezer Goodhue, then Joseph Ranney,
Esq., Deacon Elijah Ranney, Calvin Ranney, Elisha Berry, Sr.,
and Jr., and Edward Campbell." Dr. Stevens married Mary Ann
Arnold, dau. of Seth Shailer Arnold and granddaughter of Esther 5
Ranney. Their twelve children were alive when, the youngest
being over 50, all sat for their portraits which through Dr. Mark
Ranney were placed together in one group as they are seen in this
book.
Children:
254 Samuel, b. Nov. 8, 1792.
255 Alfred, b. Dec. 29, 1794.
Elizabeth, b. Mar. 11, 1797; m. Dea. Asahel Goodell.
256 Fanny, b. Sept. 12, 1799; m. Dea. Edward Hallett.
257 Russell, b. Feb. 20, 1802.
258 Mark, b. Apr. 17, 1804.
259 Lydia, b. May 10, 1806; m. Frederick Goodell.
260 Elijah Bradford, b. Aug. 4, 1808.
261 Lyman Crawford, b. Sept. 22, 1810.
262 George, b. Feb. 7, 1813.
Charles, b. Aug. 20, 1816; m. Jane Gorham, b. Oct. 26,
1818; d. Aug. 23, 1872, dau. of Isaac Gorham and Re-
becca Hall. Farmer; Rep.; Cong. Rem. to St. Johns-
bury, Vt. where he d. Feb. 26, 1899. No children.
120 Joseph 6 Rannev (Elijah 5 , Ephraim 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Dec. 25, 1779, Westminster West, Vt.; m. (1) May
8, 1800, Mercy 6 Hamblen, b. Oct. 27, 1781, Yarmouth, Mass.;
d. Feb. 13, 1812, Westminster West, dau. of Joseph 5 Hamblen,
( 4 , Isaac 3 , Eleazar 2 , James 1 ) and Susan Hedge; m. (2)
Mar. 11, 1813, Tryphena Hitchcock, b. May 28, 1779, Westminster;
d. Sept. 19, 1823, aged 34 years, dau. of Heli Hitchcock of Brim-
field, Mass., and Tryphena Goodell. (The father of Joseph 6 ,
Deacon Elijah 5 , married (2) the widow of Heli Hitchcock and so
became stepfather to his own son. A son of Joseph remembered
harnessing the horse of his grandfather, Elijah 5 , to go courting his
248 MIDDLETOWX UPPEE HOUSES
maternal grandmother) ; m. (3) Mar. 11, 1824, Westminster West,
Mrs. Priscilla Farnham Arnold, b. Oct. 26, 1789, widow of Am-
brose Arnold and adopted daughter of Joel 5 Ranney and Rebecca
Hall.
Joseph 6 Ranney d. Mar. 1, 1845. He was of almost giant
stature and strength, holding his three-year-old daughter on his
open hand with his arm straightened before him. He was an
original member of the militia company commanded by Capt.
Ephraim Ranney, Jr. His son, Henry Porteus, resides on the
farm cleared by Elijah 6 .
Children by 1st marriage:
Matilda, b. Sept. 28, 1801; d. Nov. 22, 1804.
263 Aretas, b. Nov. 14, 1803.
264 Philetus, b. Jan. 8, 1806.
Matilda, b. May 20, 1808; d. unm. July 18, 1824.
265 Ira Patterson, b. Oct. 3, 1810.
Children by 2d marriage:
Joseph Root, b. Dec. 17, 1813; d. Aug. 1816.
266 Timothy Emerson, b. Jan. 17, 1815.
267 Joseph Addison, b. Feb. 17, 1817.
Infant, b. Sept. 5, 1818; d. Nov. 5, 1818.
Eeli Hitchcock, b. Sept. 5, 1819; d. Dec. 6, 1819.
Samuel Root, b. Oct. 12, 1820; d. Feb. 24, 1821.
Harvey, b. Nov. 26, 1821 ; d. Jan. 4, 1826.
Children bt/ Sd marriage:
268 Joel Arnold, b. Dec. 9, 1824.
269 Rollin Wallace, b. Nov. 29, 1826.
270 Henry Porteus. b. Jan. 30, 1829.
Rebecca Priscilla, b. Jan. 21, 1833; d. Apr. 18, 18! 1.
I'l Elizabeth" Ranney (Elijah 5 , Ephraim*, Thomas 3 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. , Westminster \\ esl ; d. ;
in. Levi Harlow, son of Eleazar Barlow of Taunton, Mass., who.
:i age of 20, in L758, rem. to help Bettle Westminster and m. Rhoda
Alexander of Northfield, Mass.
Children.
i\ b. June 18, 1797; m. Ruth Owen
^.chsahlana, b. June L3, 1799; m. (1) Barnabas Clark; (2)
KM. jati (lark.
ilana. b. June !•"•. 1799: tn. Jesse Mutton.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 249
122 Daniel 6 Eanney (Daniel 5 , Ephraim 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 .
Thomas 1 ), b. Apr. 14, 1781, Chester, Vt.; m. Aug. 2, 1802,
Stockbridge, Vt., Martha Holland, b. June 11. 1783. He was a
mem. of the Legislature.
Children :
271 Eoswell, b. Sept. 17, 1804.
Sarah, b. Dec. 9, 1806; m. Dec. 15. 1830, David Avery,
b. Oct. 22, 1801. Children:
Silas, b. May 17, 1832.
Sarah Eanney, b. Oct. 4, 1842.
272 Daniel Holland, b. Sept. 26, 1808.
273 Silas, b. Feb. 21, 1810.
274 Eeuben, b. Oct. 31, 1811.
Moses, b. Nov. 1, 1813; d. July 19, 1843; m. June 27. 1843,
New York, Sarah Eogers.
275 Martha Gile, b. Aug. 25, 1816; m. Africa Davis.
276 Lucinda Holland, b. Feb. 19, 1819; m. Chas. A. Thomas.
277 Jonathan Holland, b. June 2; 1822.
•278 Joel, b. June 4, 1825.
123 Moses 6 Eanney (Daniel 5 , Ephraim 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Mar. 28, 1783, Chester, Vt; m. Nov. 11, 1813,
Bridgewater, Vt., Prudentia Wood Osborn, b. Mar. 27, 1793, Ware,
Mass. ; d. Jan. 10, 1864, the sixth child of John Osborn of Woburn,
Mass., and Elizabeth Clark. He d. Apr. 12, 1858. She d. - — .
Child:
279 Moses Harris, b. Aug. 16, 1814.
124 Mary 6 Eanney (Daniel 5 , Ephraim 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. July 26, 1791, Stockbridge, Vt.; m. 1810, Stock-
bridge, Vt., Jonathan Holland, b. 1785; d. Aug. 29, 1841, Stock-
bridge, son of Eeuben Holland and Joan Cobb. He served in
War of 1812, farmer; Univ. Ch. She d. mem. Cong. Ch. and d.
Sept. 1, 1878, Stockbridge, Vt.
Children:
Mary, b. 1811; m. Enos Chandler.
Eunice, b. 1813 ; m. Thomas Hunt.
Patty, b. 1817; m. Joseph Howe.
280 Sarah, b. 1821; m. Nathan Davis.
281 Lucy, b. July 3, 1825; m. Chas. Luther.
282 Jonathan J., b. 1829.
250 MIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES
125 Joel 8 Ranney (Daniel 5 ;, Ephraim 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Mav 9, 1805, Stockbridge, Vt.; m. Nov. 8, 1826,
Rochester, Vt., Elizabeth T. Morse, b. 1800; d. July 18, 1858,
Metamora, 111., dan. of Capt. Parker Morse who rem. 1835, to
111. Joel 6 rem. 1838, to Metamora. 111., Dea. of Cong. Ch.; ac-
tive in temperance matters, strongly anti-slavery, a man of ability
and aggressiveness, d. Jan. 13, 1848, Metamora, 111.
Children:
283 Esther Jane, b. July 27, 1829; m. Alvin Packard.
284 Joel Alden, b. Oct. 18, 1831.
Elizabeth Ellen, b. Oct. 18, 1831 ; d. May 31, 1832.
126 Waitstill Randolph 6 Ranney (Waitstill 6 , Ephraim 4 ,
Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. May 23, 1791, Chester, Vt.;
d. Aug. 23, 1853, West Townsend, Vt; m. (1) , 1811,
Chester, Vt., Phebe Atwood, b. Nov. 28, 1789, Chester, Vt; d.
July 7, 1844, dau. of Jeremiah Atwood and Zilpha Willard; m.
(2) Apr. 29, 1846, Mrs. Mary A. Cook.
Waitstill Randolph Ranney, second child of Waitstill Ranney.
was born in the village of Chester, Vt. His father removed to
a 1000 acre farm, 3 miles from the village, and the two boy's
walked this distance to school for 12 weeks of the winter; yet at
16 years of age they were teachers. As a scholar he always ex-
celled his classmates and showed at a very early age a strong desire
for learning. He often told of passing Harvard College when
a boy, driving to market some swine, and of seeing students in
those enchanted grounds. A man of learning and of influence
seemed to his young heart to be as much above the common herd
as he above his drove, little thinking he was ever to stand on that
high ground. But in after life he felt that his early training, its
hardships, its self-denials, and even its temptations, helped form
whatever was worthy in his character. At sixteen years of age his
father took him to Charleston, N. H., to the Rev. M. Foster's High
School, knowing but little of the time or money fully needed to
"Incite him through a term of years. A literary course began,
and with it a studiousness from twelve to fourteen hours a day.
Instead of needing three years in preparation he had in one war
mastered six books of Aeneid, four Orations of Cicero, and the
four Evangelists in Greek. By an accident he was prevented from
entering in the fall, hut taught through the winter, and in the
spring entered Middlebury College with the class of the former
year. Leaving college at nineteen he taughl for some months in
the academy at Malono, N. Y., and returned to his Chester home
Waitstill Randolph Ranney
(See page 250)
Ambrose Arnold Ranney
(See page 333)
< ; k<>i
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 251
where at the age of twenty he married Phebe Atwood. He studied
medicine at Dartmouth College and then settled in West Town-
shend where at the age of twenty-two in 1814 he commenced the
practice of his profession, and often remarked : " If I could live
a hundred lives I would be a physician every time." In an ad-
dress before Woodstock Medical College he said : " But there are
men in the practice of medicine who stand unmoved by trials or
temptations of gain — men of sensitive minds and conscientious
hearts, who, as Philosophers and Philanthropists are an honor to
their profession and the world, who are willing to sacrifice ease
and comfort for the drudgery of professional life; who live to
alleviate the sufferings of the distressed; to heal where it is pos-
sible; to support the dying head; to wipe from the brow the
gathering damps of death, pointing the departing spirit to the
painless realms above." Again : " Though Heaven and earth at-
test to his faithfulness and skill, yet upon him rests the responsi-
bility to the patient — to the friends, and to God." In poverty and
strong competition for eight years he struggled on with a family
of children now numbering seven, relying alone on the income of
his profession for support. The riding over those high hills
and long roads, through rain and hail, and drifting snows, with
no conveyance for the journey but a horse's back, and all with
the miserable pittance then meted out for such services, might
have made the stoutest heart quail. Yet, with an endurance
seldom equalled, and a frugality, at this day hardly known, he
supported his rapidly increasing family, and even laid by some-
thing for future investments.
In 1822 he purchased a farm half a mile from the village and
connected agricultural pursuits with professional duties. The
indebtedness on the farm was paid; the nine sons were all well
educated in the public schools; seven of them were prepared to
enter the learned professions; four of them were sent to be col-
legiately instructed. In 1837 the farm was relinquished to a
son and he removed to the center of the village of the town near
the academy. His wife after a long illness from cancer died.
July 6, 1844, and in 1846 he married Mrs. Mary A. Cook. In
1849 his health began to fail. In his sixty-third year he was
gathered in, fully ripe for the harvest, clearly sensible of his
condition, and all things made ready. Conspicuous in his death
as in life; strong in faith; calm in his trust; childlike in his
simplicity.
He was interested in every philanthropic enterprise, active in
the town, the church and the State. He was a member of a
Constitutional convention, of the house of the General Assembly,
252 MIDDLETOWN" UPPER HOUSES
three years in the State Senate, for two years Lieut.-Governor of
the State, and came within one vote of being elected U. S.
Senator. He presided on the summit of the Green Mountains
when Daniel Webster gathered his many thousands to that wil-
derness, to urge them to save their country from corruption and dis-
union. He often lectured before literary institutions, agricultural
and medical societies. As a statesman, he was far above all wire-
pulling or office seeking. No enemy ever dared to assert that any
corruption or bribery was ever practiced on him. Far removed
from any similar purpose, he was selected and voted for by those
who knew his abilities, and needed his services. The Legislative
body that passed an act to appropriate the national surplus reve-
nue to the use of Common Schools well remember his remarks on
that occasion, it being an extra session. Many a scheme had been
devised to turn these funds to internal improvement, banking pur-
poses, etc., and the speakers were ready to urge through their
plans, but they were all thwarted, and their schemes so effectually
exposed, that no answer was made, and an adjournment as a com-
pliment to the speaker was immediately carried.
He was a man of wonderful physical vigor and endurance; he
had a mind of a capacity far above the ordinary standard; his ap-
plication and achievement in the varied departments of life, under
all his embarrassments were almost incredible. As a Christian
statesman he was a model politician; as a citizen he was upright,
and a man of great usefulness; as a husband and father, devoted
in his attachments, impartial in all his acts, and worthy of the
highest love. As a Christian, consistent, active, faithful, prayer-
ful, living his religion and dying in its full enjoyment. (The
above is principally from "Lives of Eminent Americans.")
The compiler of this work has in his possession a private letter
written Sept. 1, 1879, by a son of Dr. Ranney to a distant cousin
of whom lie had till then not heard, the Rev. Timothy Emerson
Ranney. from which the following is taken: " My lather, consider-
ing his humble birth and Limited opportunities in an obscure place,
was a man of marked ability. He combined all the traits of char-
acter which make one a master of the situation. Of commanding
affection, good address he was one to whom the world looked up as
a Leader bo the affairs of town, church and State. As a physician
lie was an authority, as a successful financier in a small way he
never had a peer. The rearing of thirteen children to manhood
with no bad habits and with good education for those days at an
expense of from eighl to tell thousand dollars from a limited in-
<• e and do capital to start with is a marvel the world now knows
nothing of. A- a politician be never resorted to chicanery, or irregu-
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 253
lar methods of vote buying. As an executor of trusts he never
swerved an iota from the strict rules of right and justice. He was
honored in town as a man of large ability, in every position in the
family or church or as physician, and in the offices he filled as
representative, Senator and Lieut.-Governor. His memory has
left to his children a sweet savor. The thirteen children, all
married, survived him for many years, had many reunions at
the old homestead in West Townshend, and in Chester, the
town of his birth. His children and grandchildren there re-
hearsed the scenes of childhood and cemented more closely the
family tie.
There were nine sons, six of them physicians, one clergyman, one
lawyer and one farmer. Most of them have been very successful
in their business and esteemed as men. Five successful physicians
in New York City, one a lawyer of large wealth, the brother clergy-
man graduating at Middlebury College, whom you knew, the other,
one of the New York physicians whom you knew, had by success-
ful practice accumulated quite a fortune. The sisters have all
passed away. One married a lawyer after a successful career as
teacher in Brooklyn, the other three married farmers, worthy men
of means, respected and loved by all who knew them/'*
The first reunion of the children at the old homestead was on
June 1, 1846, to celebrate the father's fifty-sixth birthday. Three
were held in his lifetime. The eighth was held in Chester in
1866, for four days, and its record is in a pamphlet of forty-eight
pages. In 1855 a volume of " Reminiscences " was published, con-
taining many letters addressed by him to his children at various
times and under varying circumstances. They reveal his inner
manhood. It contains his addresses to his children and grand-
children at the reunions. The following is from the address of
his oldest son on May 28, 1851, when 23 children and 18 grand-
children were present:
" We are all here !
Father, mother,
Sister, brother,
All who hold each other dear.
Each chair is filled, we're all at home.
It is not often that around
Our old familiar hearth we're found.
Bless thus the meeting and the spot.
For once be every care forgot ;
Let gentle peace assert her power.
And kind affection rule the hour.
We're all. all here ! "
254 MiDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Children :
285 Evander Willard, b. Nov. 1, 1811.
286 Darwin Harlow, b. Dec. 13, 1812.
287 Stella Laurenza, b. July 4, 1814.
288 Alfred Atwood, b. June 24, 1816.
289 Henry Davis, b. Oct. 31, 1817.
290 Lafayette, b. Aug. 16, 1819.
291 Ambrose Arnold, b. Apr. 16, 1821.
292 Stephen Eleazer, b. Sept. 17, 1822.
293 James Waitstill, b. Sept. 23, 1824.
294 Helen Louisa, b. Feb. 10, 1826.
295 Prances Sophia, b. Jan. 25, 1828.
296 Martin Luther, b. Jan. 20, 1830.
297 Mary Angeline, b. Aug. 20, 1832.
127 Rev. Seth Shailer 6 Arnold (Esther 5 Ranney, Ephraim 4 ,
Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Feb. 22, 1788, Westminster, Vt.;
m. (1) Ann House of Hebron, Ct, ; m. (2) Mrs. Mary Grout
of Ackworth. N. H.; Grad. 1812, Middlebury Coll.; studied the-
ology with Rev. Dr. Breckenridge in Washington, D. C., and Rev.
Sylvester Sage in Westminster. Pastor in various places, d. Apr. 3,
1871, Ascutneyville, Vt.
Children:
Olivia, b. ; m. 1852, Newton Gage. She res. As-
cutneyville, Vt.
Man Ann, !,. Nov. in. 1817; m. 1846, Rev. Alfred Stevens,
pastor at Westminster, Vt., for 40 years. Local historian.
She d. 1857, he d. 1893.
Sophia, b. ; d. while student at Mt. Holyoke Sem.
Caroline, b. 1827; m. 1850, Albert L. Waite.
128 Ambrose Tyler Arnold (Esther 5 Ranney, Ephraim 4 ,
Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Nov. 19, 1790, Westminster, Vt.;
d. Dec. 2, 1818, Westminster; m. Oct. 26, 1814, Priscilla Farn-
ham, b. Oct. 26, 1789, Walpole, N. H.; d. Apr. 28, 1871, West-
minster. She was the adopted daughter of Joel 5 Ranney and m.
(2) Mar. li. L824, .Joseph 11 Ranney as his 3d wife.
Children :
298 Ambrose, b. June 19. 1815.
299 Fenelon, b. Jan. 25, 1817.
12!) Rev. Joel Ranney Arnold (Esther 8 Ranney, Ephraim 4 ,
Thomas 3 . Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Apr. 25, 1794, Westminster, Vt. ;
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 255
m. Julia Arnold. Grad. Middlebury Coll., studied medicine then
theology with Eev. Sylvester Sage and his brother, Eev. Seth
Shailer Arnold. Settled 14 years at Chester, N. H. and many
years in Colchester, Conn. Eleven children.
130 James 6 Ranney (Janna 5 , Ephraim 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 ,
^C-2^-^a^*-^
Thomas 1 ), b. Apr. 20, 1790, Westminster, Vt.; m. May 22, 1811,
Rebecca Parker, b. June 30, 1790, Springfield, Vt.; d. June 17,
1833, Delaware, Ohio, dau. of Isaac Parker and Elizabeth Walker.
Prof, of Languages; res. in Ohio; then in Ala; d. June, 1835,
Claiborne, Ala.
Children :
300 Ralph Parker, b. Mar. 12, 1812.
Lewis Phelps, b. July 10, 1814; d. Feb., 1817.
301 Lewis H., b. Oct. 18, 1817.
302 Isaac, b. Feb. 21. 1820.
130a George 6 Andrus (Sarah 5 Ranney, Willed, Willett 3
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Oct. 11, 1789; m. Aug. 16, 1810, Angelina
Betts, dau. of Capt. Jesse Betts and Mary Jarvis of Norwalk,
Ct. He was prominent in business life and had 12 children.
Almira 7 , b. Apr. 24, 1815; d. Sept. G. 1897; m. Elihu Allen,
b. Aug. 3, 1806, son of Joseph Allen and Prudence Earl,
descendant of George Allen, who came, 1635, from Wey-
mouth, Eng., to Massachusetts, and of Ralph Earl who in
1638 arrived at Newport, R. I. Following the trade of
his father, he was for over 50 years " the village black-
smith." He d. July 16, 1886, Pierrepont Manor, N. Y.
George 8 Allen, b. Mar. 1, 1840, attended the Zion Ch.
School. R. R. clerk 1864-1891. Since then with Citizen's
Nat. Bank, Adams, N". Y.
130b Delia Ann Willis (Sybil 5 Rannev, Willett 4 , Willett 8 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b.1793; d. 1860; m. Sept. 15, 1816, Adams,
N. Y., William Hart, b. 1786, Clinton, N. Y., d. Nov. 6, 1834, son
256 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
of Amasa Hart and Phebe Roberts, who rem. from Bristol, Conn., to
Clinton, N. Y.
Children:
James Munroe, b. July 29, 1817; d. unm. Aug. 14, 1896,
Oswego, N. Y.
William Dwight, b. 1818; d. unm. 1898, Adams. N. V.
George, b. ; d. .
Henry, b. ; d. , age 28.
Delia, b. 1828; d. Nov. 1859, Oswego, X. Y.; m. Xaaman
Hungerford.
302a John Jay, b. Mar. 13, 1831.
131 Willett Ranney 6 Willis (bro: to Delia Ann), b. Eeb. 22,
1799, Cayuga, N. Y.; d. Jan. 27, 1877, Adams, N. Y. ; m. May 19,
1829, West Schuyler, N. Y., Mary Burch b. Oct. 27, 1800 ; d. Sept.
2, 1882, dau. of Robert Burch and Polly Spaulding. He was a
woolen manufacturer for over 50 years. Was a noted abolitionist
co-operating with Gerritt Smith in conducting a station of the
underground railroad to Canada, a Republican and Presbyterian.
Children:
Mary Svbil, b. Dec. 3, 1830; m. D. W. Hawley, res. Roches-
ter, N". Y.
Elizabeth, b. July 20, 1832; d. May, 1903; m. Thomas
Coughlan; dau. is Mrs. James W. Taylor, N. Y. City.
Robert Burch, b. Sept. 6, 1834; d. July 9, 1800.
Isaac Burch, b. Aug. 27, 1836; d. Jan. 8, 1889; m. Feb.
15, 1865, Brooklyn, N. Y., Agnes Rebecca Smith, b.
Mar. 27, 1841, Stamford, Ci.\ dau. of Joseph Smith
and Caroline Elizabeth Lock wood. He was a mer-
chant, F. & A. M., Rep.. Epis. Child:
Ida Agnes, b. Oct. 2, 1869, New Rochelle, N. Y. ; m. Oct.
30. 1895, Stamford, Ci, Frederick Werner, b. Aug. 2.
1854, Albany, N. Y. ; lawyer, Rep., Presb.; res. Stam-
ford, Ct.
303 VYMlctt Ranney, b. Sept. 15, 1839.
Catherine, b. Jan. 20, 1842; m. (i. \V. Mackie, she res.
Adams, N". Y.
132 Anson" Ranney (Willett-'', Willett 4 , Willett 3 , Thomas 2 .
Thomas 1 ), b. lag. 5, L802; m. Sept. L3, is:;-.'. Watertown, X. Y..
Mary Ann Eliza Gasner, the adopted daughter of Olney Pearce,
DESCENDANTS OF THOU AS RANNEY 257
the officiating clergyman being the Eev. George S. Boardman.
His death occurred Mar. 31, 1859. She d. Mar. 31, 1852, aged 39
years. As Anson Eanney had injured himself in the woods when
a boy his father determined to make a business man of him.
From a sketch of him by Mr. Joseph Fayel in the Watertown
Daily Standard of May 19, 1906, it is gathered that Anson was nat-
urally a very quick and studious boy and was also fond of reading
all books that he could buy or borrow. While he was suffering under
his infirmities kind friends would bring him text books, and by
studious application he became a good English scholar. He
mastered the intricacies of higher mathematics without a teacher,
and was a fine and rapid penman. He became a clerk in the store
of Olney Pearce in Watertown, a very prominent merchant and
public spirited citizen, marrying his adopted daughter and be-
coming his partner in the business, which was established at
Theresa. There were then but a few scattering houses there and
the ashes gathered from burning the timber in clearing lands was
about the only commodity the people had to sell in exchange for
store goods. The ashes were manufactured into potash, then a
valuable article of commerce. Mr. Eanney had a literary turn of
mind and spent his evenings in congenial pursuits. He was a
worker in the Presbyterian Church and was of the Henry Clay
stamp in politics, very liberal in church schools and public affairs.
He was the pioneer in improving the power at the falls on Indian
River. In 1834 he constructed a dam and in 1838 erected a large
flouring mill.
Children :
Ann Eliza, b. Aug. 18, 1834; d. Aug. 29, 1854, Lockport, N.
Y.; m. May 19, 1853, Dr. Josiah Hammond Helmer.
b. Jan. 23, 1821; d. Aug. 19, 1904, Theresa, N. Y.
While a physician, he also engaged in railroad and
m'f'g enterprises. He rem. to Lockport in 1852, and
was quite prominent in the church. Child:
Anna Florence, b. Apr. 27, 1854; m. Charles Lowerv
Snow. Ees. Buffalo, N. Y. Child:
Helmer, b. Mar. 17, 1881. Ees. Newark, N. J.
Willett, b. Mar. 1, 1836; d. May 2, 1810.
Edward Ferguson, b. Jan. 22, 1838; d. Apr. 18, 1839.
Edward Willett, b. July 31, 1840; d. Sept. 17, 1841.
Olney Pearce, b. Sept. 1, 1842; d. May 30, 1869; m. Nov. 10.
1864, Annie E. Fernald who res. Washington, D. C.
Philip, b. Oct. 23, 1845; d. June, 1905, N. Y. City. First
Lieut. Co. K, 26th N. Y. Cav. Vols., mustered out at close
of war ; in lumber business in Lockport, N. Y. ; Capt.
258 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
7th Separate Co. N. Y. SIG.; 1877 to Chicago; 1880-
84 lumber business in St. Paul, later in gold mining.
Anson, b. Oct. 1, 1847; d. Jan. 25, 1849.
133 John 8 Ranney (Willett 5 , Willett 4 , Willett 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Jan. 16, 1803, Rome, N. Y.; d. Aug., 1891. at the
residence of his son, George, in Cannonsburg, Mich.; m. Mar. 29,
1827, Lovina Bristol, b. Aug. 18, 1805; d. Mar. 29, 1866. He
was a farmer at Smithville, N. Y., then a pioneer in Greeley, Col.
Children :
George, b. Aug. 26, 1828; m. Jan., 1858, Cornelia Smith.
No chil. ; Res. Cannonsburg, Mich.
304 Willett Phineas, b. Sept. 1, 1830.
305 Daniel Bristol, b. Jan. 2, 1834.
De Elbert, b. June 28, 1839; d. Feb. 7. 1887; m. 1869, Eva
Chappell of Green Bay.
Mary Butler, b. Sept. 1, 1841; m. June 16, 1872, James M.
Hungerford. Res. Toronto, Canada.
306 Martha Cornelia, b. May 2, 1845.
Emma Jeannette, b. Mar. 13, 1851; d. May, 1898; m. Julius
Marx; dan. Edith, b. Oct. 1874. Res. Denver. Col.
134 Sophronia Ranney (Willett 5 , Willett 4 , Willett 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Mar. 31, 1807, Rome, N. Y. ; m. Feb. 9, 1832, Red-
field, N. Y., Reuben Drake, b. Jan. 15, 1801, Redfield, N. Y.; d.
Feb. 5, 1895, Wabasha, Minn. He was app. by President Jackson
postmaster at Redfield and held it for 30 years, then P. M. for some
years at Beaver, Minn.; 1846, N". Y. Legislature; J. P. of Redfield
for years. She was a mem. of Disciples Ch. and d. Feb. 15, 1887,
Beaver, Minn.
Children:
307 Ellen, b. Dec. 1. 1832; m. G. T. Cnowles.
308 Jeannette I.. Aug. 8, 1836; m. J. R. Martin.
309 Brayton, b. Nov. 18, 1838.
310 Margaret, b. Apr. 25, 18-12; m. Win. Buckingham.
135 Mary 8 Ranney (Willett 5 , Willett*, Willett*, Thomas-',
Thomas 1 ), b. Feb. 1, 1809, Rome, N. Y. ; .!. Mav 20, 1899, Akron,
o.; m . Jan. 35, L832, Volnej Chamberlain, b. Dec. 5, L804, Red-
lii'M. \\ V.; (I. Apr. 23, 188"), Slow. ()., son of Ebenezer Chamber-
lain and Susanna Jones of Middlrtown, Ct.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 259
\hllnVPYL *
Orville Le Grand, b. Oct. 29^ 1832, Eedfield, N. Y.; d.
Mar. 22, 1885, Shreveport, La.; m. June 19, 1860,
Alexandria, La., Maria R. Grogan, b. ; d.
June 23, 1887, Alexandria, La. He was mechanical
engineer, Captain in Confederate Army. Children:
James W., b. May 8, 1861.
Charles V., b. Jan. 19, 1863; d. June 6, 1869.
Marian Gertrude, b. Nov. 6, 1837; unm., res. Akron, 0.
Leora Esther, b. Oct., 1840; m. Oct. 2, 1866, Stow, 0., John
Deuble, b. Mar. 15, 1842, Canton, 0.; d. Oct. 4, 1894;
druggist; Q. M. S. and 2d Lieut. Co. H, 115th Reg.,
0. V. I., Aug. 12, 1862— June 22, 1865. Widow res.
Akron, 0. Children:
Grace Kent, b. Mar. 22, 1868; m. Dec. 10, 1898, Geo.
Probert, b. Feb. 22, 1870; bookkeeper. Rep., F. &
A. M., K. of P.; res. Akron, 0. Children:
Marion Lucille, b. Nov. 4, 1900.
Willett Kennette, b. Nov. 10, 1903.
James Willett, b. Oct. 6, 1843; m. Nov. 16, 1871, Emma
Virginia Fay. b. Apr. 5, 1845, Akron, 0., dau. of
Nahum Fay and Lucia Cummings; Meth., D. A. R.
He is mech. engineer, Rep., Serg. Co. C, 115th 0. V. I.,
Aug. 10, 1862— June 22, 1865 ; G. A. R. ; res. Akron,
Ohio.
Charles Lester, b. June 28, 1846, Redfield, N. Y.; d. Aug.
20, 1899, Wabasha, Minn. ; m. Nov. 20, 1870, Loretta
Woodard, b. Sept. 27, 1846, of English ancestry; Rep.,
Cong., F. & A. M., lumber, active in public improve-
ments. Widow res. Wabasha, Minn. Children :
Edith, b. July 11, 1875.
Mary Gertrude, b. Aug. 5, 1877.
Willett Ranney, b. Dec. 1. 1879; m. May 6, 1903, Etta
Monroe, b. Dec. 25, 1878, of Scotch ancestry. Res.
Wabasha, Minn. Child:
Charles Kenneth, b. Mar. 26, 1906.
Bessie Leora, b. Dec. 22, 1883.
Edgar Volney, b. Oct. 4, 1851; d. May 14, 1891; m. Feb. 3,
1875, Mary C. Bradley, b. July 12, 1850, Streetboro, O.,
dau. of Geo. Bradley and Nancy Paulina. Res. Kent, 0.
136 Jeanette 6 Rannev (Willett 5 , Willett 4 , Willett 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Nov. 22, 1811, Smithville, N. Y. ; d. Mar. 15, 1894,
St. Paul, Minn. ; m. , 1844, Dr. Sheldon Brooks, b. — son of —
260 MIDDLETOWN" UPPER HOUSES
In 1856 ill health sent Dr. Brooks to the territory of Minne-
sota, where he built a home in the White Water Valley, laid
out a town and named it Beaver. Minnesota was admitted as a
State in 1868. He was a member of the second session of its
legislature, making the journey to St. Paul, 30 hours distant by
stage-relays up the frozen Mississippi. All that goes to make
pioneer life Jeanette Ranney Brooks and Dr. Brooks experienced.
They resided later at Minneiska and Winona, he dying in the
latter place . The widow then resided with her chil-
dren in St. Paul until her death.
Children:
George, b. Jan., 1845; d. Sept. 3, 1861.
311 Lester Ranney. b. May 19, 1847.
312 Dwight Frederic, b. June 10, 1849.
313 Anson Strong, b. Sept. 6, 1852.
137 Orville Willett 6 Rannv (same as supra), b. 1814,
Adams, N. Y. ; m. 1851, Amelia E. Goodale, who d. Nov., 1903.
Buffalo, N. Y., the daughter of Dr. Goodale of Watertown, N. Y.
At 15 he was a clerk in his brother Anson's store. In 1835 he was
with Carrington & Pratt of Oswego. In 1839 in Salina with
McCarthy & Son. In 1844 he rem. to Buffalo and engaged in the
salt trade with great success until the law of 1859 changed the
current. Then he became a mfr. He d. 1883.
Child:
Jeannette, b. 1855, Watertown, N. Y. ; m. 1872, Frank Pease.
Child:
Marguerite, b. 1873, is a teacher where her mother re-
siiles, Colorado Springs, Col.
L37a Lester 8 Ranney (Bro. to Anson). 1>. Sept. 29, 1815: d.
Apr. 10, 1887; m. Olive'Mahala Wood, h. Aug. '31, 1821, .1. Dee. 26,
1895. He bought all the other interests in the home farm and died
on the old homestead. He dealt largely in neat cat tie for year-.
The old homestead was for years the rallying place of the Willett
Ranney elan.
( 'hildren:
Charles Anson, b. Mar. 14, 18-16; d. Apr. 15, 1847.
Orville Wood, b. Mar. 5, 1849, unm. Res. on the old home-
tead, dealer in neat cattle.
Lester Brodner, b. Aug. 27, 185!) : d. Apr. 22, L874.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 261
138 Norman 6 Eanney (Butler 5 , Willett 4 , Willett 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Watertown, N. Y.; m. 1830, Amelia Bagley, dau. of
Henry Bagley and Mary Boynton. He rem. to Canton, 111.
Children :
314 Minerva Caroline, b. 1831; m. 1851, Jesse Logan Jones, d.
July 3. 1884, Henry, 111. She res. Omaha, Neb. Chil-
dren: Joseph A. and Wylie L. Bes. Omaha, Neb.
314a Julia, b. 1833; d. 1863; m. A. W. Poole, d. 1888. Children:
Amelia, m. William McDougal.
Jennie, m. F. T. McCoy.
Minera, m. Walter Reynolds. Bes. Chicago, 111.
315 Zenana Amelia, b. Mar. 25, 1836; d. Oct. 4, 1880; m. Nov.
9, 1853, Joseph Henderson Jones, b. Apr. 30, 1832,
Washington Co., Ind. Merchant, Presb. Res. Henry,
111. Children:
Elizabeth Eva, b. Aug. 15, 1856 ; d. Jan. 6, 1860.
Ida Amelia, b. July 18, 1858 ; m. Harry Lea Gregory.
Res. Vincennes, Ind.
Cannah, b. Dec. 16, 1861; m. Hattie Riley. Res. Vin-
cennes, Ind.
John Logan, b. Jan. 14, 1864 ; m. Cora Lane. Res. Peoria,
Illinois.
Julia, b. June 1, 1867; m. Nov. 9, 1893, Charles Sumner
Crary, b. Nov. 14, 1863, Fort Recovery, 0. Manu-
facturer, Rep., F. & A. M. Res. Hoopeston, 111.
Children :
Zenana, b. Dec. 12, 1894.
Marcella, b. Jan. 10, 1899.
Ida, b. Jan. 6, 1901.
Sumner, b. Apr. 21, 1903 ; d. Mar. 11, 1905.
Virginia, b. Apr. 21, 1903.
Norman Ranney, b. Nov. 13, 1873; d. May 11, 1888.
139 Samuel Hall Rannev (Ccor<ie 5 , Georsic 4 . George 3 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Mar. 6, 1772, Chatham, Ct,; m. Polly
Stewart of Branford, Ct. Rem. to Ashfield, Mass., and settled on
the farm adj. his father's. In 1821 he built the two-story house
still standing. In 1836, he rem. to Phelps, N. Y. where he d.
June 27, 1837. She d. abt. 1850, Michigan.
Children :
317a Lucretia, b. June 17, 1796; m. (1) Lemuel Sears; m. (2)
1820, Col. Nehemiah Hathaway.
362 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Braddock, b. May 20, 1800; d. Sept. 6, 1803.
Harriet, b. Mar. 12, 1802; d. Aug. 22, 1803.
318 William, b. Sept. 6, 1805.
Dexter, b. June 5, 1808; drowned Aug. 22, 1850, Grand
Rapids, Mich.; m. Laura Robinson.
Lucius, b. June 12, 1812; d. Feb. 1, 1815.
Julia, b. Nov. 7, 1815; d. unm. Sept., 1838.
Emily, b. Jan. 9, 1818; d. Apr. 22, 1837; m. Dr. James
Davis.
319 Frederick Thompson, b. Mar. 12, 1820.
140 Jesse 6 Ranney (George 5 , George 4 , George 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Oct. 13, 1775, Chatham, Ct.; m. Dec. 5, 1798, Ruth
Flower, dau. of Bildad Flower. He settled on the farm in Ash-
field next north of his father's. This he sold in 1818 to his
brother Joseph and purchased another farm on which he died July
18, 1861. For many years he had been an active member of the
Baptist Church, "was a man of sterling good sense; of retiring
disposition; of exemplary life, and most esteemed by those who
knew him best." She d.*Sept. 4, 1868.
Children:
320 James, b. Sept. 15, 1799.
Bildad, b. Feb. 27, 1802; d. Aug. 4, 1815.
321 Charles, b. Dec. 4, 1803.
322 Hannah, b. Dec. 16, 1805; m. Richard Ellis.
323 Erastus, b. Oct. 8, 1807.
324 Amanda, b. Aug. 17, 1809; d. Oct. 19, 1884; m. (1) Elijah
Richmond; (2) Wilson Elmer.
325 Edwin E., b. July 25, 1811.
Polly, b. Feb. 16, 1815; d. 1870; m. A. P. Daniels.
Lucretia, b. Feb. 9, 1819; m. Darius Cross.
326 Ruth Ann, b. June 23, 1821; m. Sylvester W. Hall.
141 Joseph 8 Ranney (George 5 , George*, George 3 , Thomas-'.
Thomas 1 ), b. July, 1777, Chatham, Ct. ; m. June 18, 1801, Sarah
Waterman of Chatham, b. ; d. Sept. 9, 1825, Ashfield,
Mass., dau. of Capt. Joseph Waterman; m. (2) Feb. 26, 1826,
Tempey Eldridge; m. (3) May 17, 1831, Lucy Selden, wido\i
of Lemuel Eldridge. In 1810 he and his wife Bold their interest
in her father's estate, and he bought a home in Chatham, where
he worked in the quarries. Be remained there till 1818, when he
ret. to Ashfield. Ee was killed in his wood lot by a blow from a
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 263
falling tree. He was a member of the Episcopal Church. He d.
Jan. 15, 1838. She d. July 19, 1862.
Children:
Clarissa, b. 1803; d. before 1830.
Harriet, b. Sept., 1805; m. Lvman Williams.
Samuel, b. 1807 ; lived 7 days/
Emily, b. Dec., 1808; d. Apr. 3, 1811.
327 Samuel Allen, b. Sept., 1811.
Edward, b. Nov. 9, 1814; d. Dec. 15, 1839; m. Nov.. 1837,
Marvilla Selden. No children.
328 Sarah Amelia, b. Nov., 1817; m. Levi C. Kingman.
329 Eliza Ann, b. Sept. 9, 1820; m. Samuel Kingman.
330 Sabra, b. Dec. 25, 1828; m. Oscar Eichardson.
331 Clarissa, b. Dec. 7, 1832; d. Sept. 5, 1892; m. C. T. Parker.
142 Esther 6 Eanney (George 5 , George 4 , George 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Mar. 5, 1784; m. (1) May 3, 1803, Benjamin Jones,
b. Mar. 17, 1783, Williamsburg, Mass./ and d. Sept. 20, 1804; m.
(2) July 27, 1809, Forest Jepson, b. Mar. 4, 1783, Goshen, Mass.,
and d. Sept. 20, 1844, Ashfield. She d. Aug. 23, 1862, Northamp-
ton, Mass.
Child by 1st marriage:
Benjamin, b. Oct. 15, 1804.
Children by 2d marriage:
Marcia, b. July 7, 1810; m. Jefferson Leach.
Esther, b. Jan. 13, 1812 ; m. J. C. Pearl.
Forest, b. Aug. 22, 1813.
Orrin, b. Feb. 25, 1815.
.Julia, b. May 25, 1817; m. Jesse Morse.
George Eanney, b. Feb. 19, 1819.
332 Calista, b. Aug. 16, 1821; m. L. H. Blanden.
Betsey M., b. Apr. 9. 1823 ; m. John T. Thurston.
Mary F., b. Dec. 16, 1824; m. W. E. Landon.
Dwight S., b. Nov. 16, 1826.
Lucretia, b. Jan. 25, 1829; m. John T. Thurston.
143 George 6 Eanney (George 5 , George 4 , George 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. May 12, 1789, Ashfield, Mass.; m. Nov. 11, 1811,
Achsah Sears, b. 1789; d: Aug. 7, 1869, dau. of Paul Sears. He
succeeded to his father's homestead. Eem. 1833 to Phelps, N. Y.,
where he d. Sept. 9, 1842. He much resembled his father in
personal appearance — was short in stature, thick pet, with a com-
pact, vigorous frame.
264 MIDDLETOWN" UPPER HOUSES
Children :
333 Alonzo Franklin, b. Sept 13, 1812.
George Lewis, b. Mar. 10, 1815; d. Apr., 1881; m. Sarah
McConnell. No children.
334 Henry Sears, b. Mar. 5, 1817.
335 Lucius, b. Apr. 12, 1819.
Priscilla M., b. Jan. 19, 1822; m. Randolph Densmore. One
dau. d. young.
336 Harrison Jackson, b. Mar. 4, 1824.
Lyman A., b. Aug. 1, 1828; d. unm. Mar. 7, 1854, Van
Buren, Ark.
337 Lemuel Sears, b. Jan. 7, 1831.
338 Anson Bement, b. May 31, 1833.
144 Capt. Roswell 6 Ranney (Thomas 5 , George 4 , George 8 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Nov. 22, 1782, Chatham, (formerly E.
Middletown), Ct.; m. Feb. 7, 1802, Irinda Bement, b. Sept. 11,
1779, dau. of John Bement. Became prominent in public affairs in
Ashfield, Mass., where his father had rem. in 1792. Capt. of
Militia; twice Rep. in Legislature; held various town offices; ex-
tensive farmer and speculator. Succeeded to his father's farm.
In 1839 rem. to Phelps, 1ST. Y., where he built a cobble stone house
and barn. She d. Apr. 18, 1844; he d. Sept. 7, 1818.
Children:
339 Horace, b. May 22, 1803.
Daughter, b. Aug. 15, 1804; d. same day.
340 Willis, b. Sept. 22, 1805.
341 Clarissa, b. Oct. 3, 1807; m. Wait Bement.
342 Madison, b. Oct. 9, 1809.
Hiram; b. May 20, 1812; d. June 10, 1814.
343 Man. b. Oct. 9, 1814; m. Dr. Milo Wilson.
Amanda, b. Mar. 23, 1811 ; d. June 1 l, 1M1 : m. Jacob Jen-
kins. Infant buried with her.
344 Hiram, b. Oct. 30, 1819.
Thomas, b. Aug. 7, 1825; m. Sept. 6. 1848, Cordelia Butler
of Ph.lps. Ee died Oct., 1878, at Boise City, Idaho Ter-
ritory, when- he was for many years chief clerk in the
office of the United States Revenue Collector; Lillian,
their oiiK child m. George X. Burbridge, and lived in
Geneva, X. \.\ died Nov. 24, 1902, childless, about two
years after her husband.
M- r > William* Ranney (Thomas', George*, George 8 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. June 3D, 1785, Chatham, formerly East Riiddletown,
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 265
Ct. ; m. Dec, 1807, Ashfield, Mass., Betsey Alden, b. 1789, Ashfield,
d. May 9, 1870, of the Alden stock of Plymouth Rock. In 1835
he rem. to Aurelius, N. Y., and then to Eldridge, N. Y., where he
d. Sept. 9, 1857.
Children :
Betsey, b. 1805 ; d. 1881 ; m. Fernando C. Annable.
John, b. 1811; d. 1864, Almena, Mich.
345 Luke, b. Nov. 8, 1815.
Martha, b.
Mary, b. ; m. Edwin Whitney.
146 Giles 6 Eanney (Francis 6 , George 4 , George 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Aug. 15, 1773, Chatham, Ct.; m. Nov. 29, 1798,
Lydia Bryant, b. May 10, 1775, Ashfield. Mass.; d. June 18, 1852,
Ashfield. He was a farmer, rem. with his father 1786, to Ashfield
where he d. Sept. 16, 1854.
Children :
346 Francis, b. Apr. 8, 1800.
Nehemiah, b. Oct. 27, 1803; d. unm. Jan. 10, 1881.
Euth, b. May 30, 1806; m. Bela Dyer.
Lucv Bryant, b. Mar. 6, 1808; d. unm. June 17, 1890.
347 Mary, b. Oct. 3, 1810 ; m. May 25, 1832, Alvan Dyer.
348 James Allen, b. Jan. 28, 18i3.
Lydia, b. Dec. 27, 1815; d. Mar. 13, 1816.
349 Charles, b. Dec. 16, 1816.
George C, b. Nov. 27, 1820. Left home and never heard from.
147 Daniel 6 Eanney (Francis 5 , George*, George 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. 1776, Chatham, Ct.; m. May 10, 1800, Anna Bid-
well of Chatham. He had rem. to Ashfield, Mass. in 1786, with his
parents, but returned to marry the girl he knew in childhood. In
1821 he rem. to Leroy, N. Y., and in 1856 to the home of his
daughter, Mrs. Charlotte Havens, Cass, Dupage Co., 111., where he
d. Mar. 14, 1857. The following from the pen of his grandson.
Dr. Geo. E. Eannev, appeared in the Batavia, N. Y., Advocate of
April 15, 1857.
" As a shock of wheat fully ripe," a patriarch has been called to
his final resting place. Eespected by all who knew him, esteemed
by his intimate friends and beloved by his widely extended family
circle — trusting in the atonement made by his Savior, he calmly
closed his eyes in death, with no dread of the future; but on the
contrary relying upon "the promises"; certain of the blessed im-
mortality. Less than a year since he removed to Illinois, anticipat-
266 MIDDLETOWN" UPPER HOUSES
ing much pleasure in his former occupation of reading, under the
roof of his son-in-law, residing there, but so soon has been called
away.
Mr. Ranney at an early day left New England and took up his
residence in what was then the almost unbroken forest of Western
New York. As a pioneer of the " Genesee Country " he lent all of
his energies to the development of its resources. Fond of books,
from his well stored mind he could draw good from tbe public, as
well as bestow the results of " brawn and muscle." Always active,
industrious, energetic and intelligent, he remained in the vicinity
of Le Roy, till he saw his family grow up about him to be men.
and women, and " the wilderness to blossom as the rose."
It will be a source of consolation to his many friends and rela-
tives residing in Le Roy, Pavilion and Stafford, to know that he
breathed his last among warm friends and received every atten-
tion that affection could suggest to smooth the pathway to the
grave.
Children:
350 Joel, b. Feb. 6, 1807.
Hezekiah Bartlett, b. 1808; d. 1832,
Julia, b. ; m. Aziel Crittenden.
Charlotte, b. ; m. Lorin Havens.
351 Ozias. b. Oct. 13, 1817.
147a Luther 6 Ranney (bro. to Giles), b. Sept. 6, 1785, East
Middletown, Ct. ; was a year old when his father rem. to Ashfield,
Mass. ; m. Eunice Grav Alden. Had eight children :
Luther Bartlett'.
David.
351a John Alden, b. Feb. 6, 1828.
Nancy; m. Field.
Sophronia, m. Goodwin.
Rachel, m. Charles Guilford.
I [arriet.
148 Jonathan" Bosworth (Mary 8 Ranney, George*, George 1 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Jan. 21, 1787; d. Apr. :. L878; m. June
2, 1811, Lovisa Vilona Darling. He was a mfr. of cast steel
and steel plate hoes, a deacon in Cong. Ch. of Berlin, Yt., where he
lived over 80 years. He had 12 children: The 12th was
Joseph Stillman 1 Bosworth, b. A.ug. 7, L830, Berlin, Vt.;
in. (1) dune 29, L856, Mary Ann Gardner of Lowell.
Muss., who d. Sept. L9, L857; m. (2) Mar. 7, I860.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 267
Harriet E. Dustin, b. June 24, 1841, dau. of Philander
Newton Dustin and Cynthia Knapp. He learned in
Lowell the cabinet trade, but entered his father's fac-
tory. In 1863 he lost his health and died of consump-
tion, Oct. 28, 1872. Widow res. in Berlin, Vt. Children:
Gardner Stillman, b. Sept. 11, 1857.
Henrv Newton, b. June 4, 1863; d. July 26, 1897.
Mary Ann, b. Feb. 9, 1865; d. Sept. 10, 1867.
Geo." Eanney, b. Aug. 29, 1868 ; m. Oct. 24, 1894, Mabel
Hannah Brown, b. Oct. 29, 1874, dau. of Wm. Brown
and Mary Dewey; jeweler, Meth. ; res. Berlin, Vt.
Children :
Baymond Henry, b. Aug. 6, 1897.
Edward Brown, b. June 29, 1905.
Orville Dustin, b. May 9, 1871.
149 Orrin G Ranney (Jonathan 5 , George 4 , George 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), bapt. June' 24, 1789, Chatham, Ct. ; m. Nov. 20, 1810,
East Granville, Mass., Betsey Gibbons, b. Aug. 13, 1787, Granville,
Mass. He d. abt. 1815. She m. (2) his brother Reuben.
Child:
Orrin D., b. Aug. 12, 1812; rem. to Chicago. Was m. ; one
dau.
150 Reuben 6 Ranney (Jonathan 5 , George 4 , George 3 , Thomas 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. July 22, 1790, Chatham, Ct. ; m. Oct. 6, 1817, East
Granville, Mass., Betsey Gibbons Ranney, his brother's widow. He
res. some years in Ashfield, Mass., then Granville, Mass. ; d. Feb. 1,
1879, Elizabeth, N. J. She d. Mar. 6, 1882, Elizabeth, N. J.
Children :
Nancy Deborah, b. Sept. 4, 1818; d. Dec. 31, 1885. Princi-
pal 1858—1860 of Hartford Female Seminary.
Elizabeth, b. ; d. 1881.
These two sisters conducted an important school in Eliza-
beth, N. J., in their later years.
316 Sarah Shepherd, b. July 28, 1825; m. J. A. Scott.
317 Timothy Pickering, b. Aug. 2, 1828.
151 Comfort 6 Ranney (Comfort 5 , Nathaniel 4 , Nathaniel 8 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Mar. 20, 1788, Upper Houses] d. July 14,
1823, Hudson, O.; m. Dec. 25, 1808, Haddam, Ct.. Bettj Hubbard,
b. Apr. 2, 1790, Haddam; d. Jan. 4, 1868, dau. of Thomas Hub-
bard, Jr., and Sarah Boardman. Widow m. Mar. 24, 1826. M.
268 MIDDLETOAV.V (JPPEB BOUSES
J. Collier. (See Boardman Genealogy, pp. 318-319.) He was a
member of the Baptist Church of Upper Houses.
In the Spring of 1809 his parents, himself and wife, with his
brother Jacob, started for Ohio, the father dying in Buffalo en
route. He was a ship carpenter by trade and worked at it in Cleve-
land in the Summer of 1809, upon one of the first, if not the first,
vessel' built there. He purchased a large farm 3^ miles from the
present village of Hudson. Then he went to Cleveland and built
a saw mill but gave it up on account of ill health and returned to
the farm where he died.
Children :
352 Luther Boardman, b. Nov. 28, 1809.
Laura Maria, b. Jan. 23, 1811; d. June 13. 1818.
Julia A., b. Dec. 10, 1812; m. John Shields; 10 children.
Eliza Samantha, b. July 15, 1814; m. Archibald Shields;
10 children.
353 Ruth Leonora, b. Dec. 12, 1815; m. Hiram Volnev Bronson.
354 Elizabeth Jerusha, b. Dec. 29, 1817; m. John E. Hurlbut.
355 Moses, b. Aug. 12. 1819.
Sarah Florilla, b. Feb. 21, 1822 ; d. 1860 : m. George Bishop,
son Daniel is a lawyer in Berkeley, California.
152 George Ranney (William 5 , John 4 , John 8 , John 2 , Thomas 1 1 ,
b. Aug. 5, 1784, Woodstock, Ct.; m. Nov. 10, 1810, Pike Township,
Bradford Co., Pa., Rosanna Beecher, b. Feb. 12, 1875, New Haven,
Ct. ; d. Nov. 18, 1843, Kirtland, O. Ee was a deacon in the Cong.
Ch. of Kirtland, O., and a Justice of the Peace for many years, a
Democrat, and a very prominenl resident of Kirtland. O.. where h?
d. Mar. 6, 1864.
Children:
Alice Philena, b. Nov. 21, 1811 ; d. Mav !>. L900; m. June 8,
isis. Silas Axtell, who d. Apr. 15, 1849.
356 Charlotte Sophia, b. June 1, 1813: m. C. G. Crarv.
Pauline Eenriette Louisa, b. Nov. 5, 1823; d. num. Nov. 18.
1843.
L53 Ores Rannev (Ebenezer , Elijah*, Richard", John',
Thomas 1 ), b. Mav 86, 1801, Augusta, N". Y. ; m. ( 1 ) Mar. L7, L825,
Augusta, N. Y., Elizabeth Murray, b. Fob. l I. 1804, Augusta, N
Y.. dau. of Archibald and A.gnes Murray, who d. Dec. l i. L852,
Stockbridge, \. Y.; m. (2) Dec. 7, 1856, Melvina Louisa Elhodes,
b. Nov. i. L820; d. Doc II. L873, widow of Jonathan P. Rhodes
and dan. of Luther C. and Chloe C. Niles; m. (3) Jan. 1, 1877.
Eleanor M. Coan. Parmer; surveyor; sch. com'; Justice of
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 260
Peace: Bapt. deacon many years; Rep.; d Jan. 12, 1882, Oneida,
X. Y. Widow res. Oneida, N. Y.
Children bi/ 1st marriage:
357 Charles Ebenezer, b. June 20, 1827.
A son, b. 1833 ; d. young.
Jane Nancy, b. July 3, 1830; m. Joseph Quackenbush. Res.
Lincoln, Neb.
Charlotte M., b. Aug. 25, 1836; m. Thomas Baylis. Res.
Waterville, N. Y.
Children by 2d marriage:
Ores Niles, b. July 14, 1858; m. Mar. 16, 1882, Annie Ravel
Lawton. b. Mar. 21, 1860, Norridgewock, Me., dau. of
Llewellyn Foss Lawton and Rebecca Foss Maxwell. Rep.
All masonic degrees. Photographer. No children. Res.
Lockport, N. Y.
154 Hiram 6 Ranney (Ebenezer 5 , Elijah 4 , Richard 3 , John-.
Thomas 1 ), b. Nov. 23,'l805, Augusta, N. Y.; m. Jan. 26, 1834,
Mary M. Warren, b. Buckfield, Me., tracing her ancestry to the
Warren and Alden families of note; d. Dec. 28, 1875. He was
Supt. of Brotherton Indians. Rem. to Stockbridge, N. Y., and
cng. in farming. Rem. 1839, to Mohawk, where he became mer-
chant and then mfr. of guns. Held many places of trust. Home-
stead of 1839 is still in the family. Died Apr. 8, 1878, Mohawk,
X. Y.
Children :
Charlotte, b. Dec. 8, 1834 ; d. Oct. 2, 1836.
Marvett, b. Mar. 25, 1840; d. May 21, 1844.
Marcus, b. Oct. 2, 1838; d. May 9," 1839.
358 Hiram H., b. Apr. 17, 1842.
359 Warren, b. Sept. 3, 1846.
1 55 Anson L. 8 Ranney (Ebenezer 5 , Elijah 4 , Richard 3 . John.
Thomas 1 ), b. June 21, 1811, Augusta, N. Y.; m. Sept. 27, 1838.
Oneida, N. Y., Eleanor T. Murray, b. Aug. 15. 1818, Augusta; d.
Apr. 14, 1896, Kalamazoo, Mich.; dau. of Archibald Murray and
Agnes Rodgers. He was a merchant; in 1863 rem. to Kalamazoo.
Mich., to a farm, where he died July 11, 1892.
Children :
Addle Caroline, b. 1842; m. 1875. Eberle B. CTnderwood;
res. Galesburg, Mich. Children:
370 MIDDLETOWN' CTPPEB BOUSES
Esther, b. 1876.
Florence, b. 1878; m. 0. 0. Bishop. Res. Vicksburg, Mich.
Jay, b. 1844; d. 1856.
359a Orlo Bartholomew, b. 1847.
Maurice Morton, b. 1849; d. 1899, unm.
Ida May, b. 1851; unm. Res. Kalamazoo. Mich.
Bernard David, b. 1853 ; drowned 1898, on voyage to Alaska ;
unm.
Margaret Estella, b. 1857; unm. Res. Kalamazoo, Mich.
156 Oliver Russell 6 Ranney (Ebenezer 5 , Elijah 4 , Richard 3 ,
John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Jan., 1816, Augusta, N. Y. ; m. Nov. 82, L835,
Stockbridge, N. Y., Elizabeth Franklin Carpenter, b. May 5, 1814,
Rhode Island, dau. of Ezekiel Carpenter and Dorcas Gardner; d.
Dec. 13, 1877, Stockbridge, N. Y. After his marriage he worked
in his father's mill, then took the farm on shares for two years,
then entered the jewelry business. After his wife's death he made
his home with his daughter, Mrs. Lowe, where he d. June 24. 1897.
Oneida, N. Y. He cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison
and was an active member of the Baptist Church.
Children :
Agnes Elizabeth, b. Sept. 21, 1839; d. Nov. 28, 1854.
Elvira Ann, b. Oct. 22, 1842; d. June 24, 1849.
360 Abbie Deette, b. Feb. 5, 1847 ; m. Walter Robert Lowe.
Mary Josephine, b. Aug. 16, 1850; d. Feb. 15, 1862.
Celia Elenora, b. June 16, 1853; d. Apr. 29, 1857.
157 Almeda Pamelia 8 Ranney (Ebenezer 6 , Elijah*, Richard 8 ,
John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Mar. 27, 1820, Augusta, N". Y.'; m. (1) Sept.
iv. L838, Valley Mills, N". Y.. William Walter Bingham, b. Mar.
15, 1H18. , Conn.; undertaker and cabinet maker; d.
Nov. 23, 1844, Valley Mills, N. Y. She m. (2) — , 1850,
Rev. David Sargent Jackson, b. 1802; d. 1858, Unadilla, N. V.
She d. Sept. 2, 1877. Oneida, N. Y.
Children In/ 1st marriage:
361 Norton William, h. May 4, 1841.
Elbert R., b. Feb. 9, isll ; ,1. Aug. •>:;, Is! 1.
158 Elijah Warren" Ranney (Knfus 5 , Elijah*, Richard", John 2 ,
Thomas'), h. 1802, Blandfonl, Mass.: m. Sept. 11. L824, Bland-
- '
_
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 271
ford, Mass., M. Levana Larkcom, b. Mar. 14, 1802, Otis, Mass.,
dan. of Paul Larkcom, b. Feb. 16, 1764, and Comfort Norton, b.
Apr. 17, 1764. He rem., 1824, to Freedom, 0., where he was the
first postmaster, 1826. and then a merchant. He d. Mar. 2, 1835 ;
she d. Feb. 3, 1854, Freedom, 0.
Children:
Ann Eliza, b. July 26, 1826; d. 1906; m. July 13, 1847, An-
son Bancroft. Children: Levanna, Rose, Elva, Helen and
Percival. Res. Crookeston, Minn.
362 Henry Clay, b. June 1, 1829.
Warren, b. May, 1834; d. Sept. 6, 1836.
159 Rufus Percival 6 Ranney (Rufus 5 , Elijah 4 , Richard 3 , John 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Oct. 13, 1813, Blandford, Mass.; m. May 1, 1839,
Jefferson, 0., Adaline Warner, b. Jan. 20, 1818, dau. of Jonathan
Warner and Nancy Frithey. He rem. 1824, to Freedom, 0.; 1836
to Jefferson, 0.; 1845, to Warren, 0.; 1856, to Cleveland, where
he d. Dec. 6, 1891. She was mem. of Trinity Episcopal Church,
and d. June 3, 1900, Cleveland.
The compiler of these records, meeting Judge Ranney, 1880, in
Escanaba, Mich., learned the story of the journey of his father's
family from Blandford, Mass., by ox team to Albany, by canal to
Buffalo, by boat to Cleveland, and by team to Freedom, where for a
year they lived on game till a few acres were cleared of timber so
they could have a garden.
Judge Ranney's remarkable career as printed in the 49th Ohio
State Report is as follows :
" Rufus P. Ranney died at home in Cleveland the 6th day of
December, 1891. at the ripe age of seventy-eight.
" As a man, as a lawyer, as a judge, and as a statesman, he left
a record without a blemish, a character above reproach, and a repu-
tation as a jurist and statesman which but few members of the bar
have attained.
" Judge Ranney came from New England, a land of robust men,
of wonderful physical and mental fibre and endurance. He was
born at Blandford, Hampton County, Mass.. the 13th day of Oct.,
1813. His father was a farmer of Scotch descent.
" In 1824 the family moved to Ohio and settled at Freedom,
Portage Co.
" The means of public instruction was quite limited, but the
stock of intelligence in the family, with a few standard books
brought from Massachusetts, coupled with an active, penetrating
272 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
and broad intellect, aroused in the son a desire to get an education.
Not until he had nearly arrived at man's estate was he able to
manage, as hp did by his manual labor and by teaching in back-
woods schools, to enter an academy where he, in a short time, pre-
pared himself to enter college. By chopping cord wood at twenty-
five cents per cord he earned the money to enter Western Reserve
College at Hudson, Ohio, but for want to means could not com-
plete the college course.
" He made up his mind to study law, and at the age of twenty-
two entered the office of Benjamin F. Wade and Joshua R. Gid-
dings at Jefferson, Ohio, and began his preparation for admission
to the bar, and in 1836 was admitted.
"Later he and Mr. Wade entered into partnership, Mr. (nil-
dings having been elected to Congress.
" About 18-45 Judge Ranney removed to Warren, Ohio, which
was the chief center of business and wealth in that part of the
State. He at once commanded a Large practice.
" In 1846 and again in 1848 he was nominated for Congress,
but was not elected, his party being hopelessly in the minority.
"In 1850 he was elected from Trumbull and Geauga Counties
a delegate to the convention which bad been called to revise the
Constitution of the State of Ohio. He served with distinction on
the committees on judiciary, on revision, on amendments and
others, and although he was a young man, he was soon recognized
as one of the leading members of the Convention.
"In March, 1851, he was elected by the General Assembly
Judge of the Supreme Court, succeeding Judge Avery, and at
the first election held under the amended constitution in 1851
he was chosen to be one of the judges of the new Supreme Court.
He served until 1856, when lie resigned and moved from Warren
to Cleveland and resumed the practice of his profession as a mem-
ber of the firm of ' Ranney, Backus & Noble.'
" In 1859 he was the unsuccessful candidate of bis party For
Governor of Ohio, ami in 1862 was Dominated against his express
desire as a candidate for Supreme Judge, and to his own surprise
was elected. He resigned two years later.
"When the Obi" stale Bar Association was organized, he was
unanimously chosen its President.
"Towards the close of his life, Judge Ranney gradually with-
drew from the practice of his profession, but the well-earned
leisure of his later years was far from being indolence.
" Be devoted much of bis time for several years to placing the
('as.' School of Applied Science at Cleveland upon a firm founda-
tion, and providing for it adequate buildings and equipment
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 273
" He was also a student of French, and made a profound study
of her literature, politics, history and law.
" While Judge Eanney was on the bench, he waa one of the
strongest administrative forces of the State government. He held
a place of his own. He was a personal force whose power was
profoundly felt in the administration of justice throughout the
State. He made a deep and permanent impression on the juris-
prudence of Ohio.
" Judge Eanney had those qualities of simplicity, directness,
candor, solidity, strength and sovereign good sense, which inde-
pendent and reflective life of the early settlers of the Western
country fostered.
" At the bar or in his own library, he was one of the most in-
teresting of men.
" He was himself a firm believer in representative government,
insisting, however, in order to perpetuate it, its abuses and evils
must be plainly exposed and resolutely resisted.
" Signed by :
"Allen G. Thurman,
" Eussell A. Harrison,
"Jacob D. Cox,
"F. E. Hutchins,
" Samuel E. Williamson."
Children :
Eichard W., b. Mar. 5, 1840; d. July 26, 1840.
Howard, b. Sept. 7, 1841 ; d. Oct. 14, 184(5.
Cornelia, b. Nov. 30, 1842; d. May 1, 1873; m. T. Kelly
Bolton; two sons; res. New York City.
364 Charles Percival, b. Oct. 7, 1847.
365 John Eufus, b. Oct. 5, 1851.
Harriet L., b. Aug. 20, 1859 ; d. May 18, 1868.
160 John Lewis 6 Eanney (Eufus 5 , Elijah 4 , Eichard 3 . John 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Nov. 14, 1815,' Blandford, Mass.; m. Feb. 26, 1834,
Eliza E. Eemington, who d. Oct. 22, 1897. Eem. 1824, to Free-
dom, O., and to Eavenna, O., where he d. Feb. 22, 1866. Lawyer.
The widow married Daniel Day.
\nllnTPH *
Mary Ann, b. July 8, 1837, d. Sept/7, 1854 ; m. Apr. 3, 1854,
Geo. L. Hotchkiss.
Joseph Norton, b. Jan. 11, 1839; d. Feb. 17, 1882, Ea-
venna, O.
274 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Lewis Rufus. b. July 28, 1842; d. May 16, 1872, unm.
Sarah Cornelia, b. Nov. 20, 1844; m. Nov. 3, 1862, David
Mi Donald; res. Cleveland, 0. Children:
Mae Ethel, b. Feb. 16, 1874; m. Sept. 22, 1892. Edward
Jenner.
Lena Irene, b. Aug. 9, 1877; m. June 5, 1895, Roy Ben-
nett.
John Ranney, b. Jan. 4, 1880.
Flora Adaline, b. Jan. 4, 1852; m. Sept. 17, 1903, Samuel
N. Parshall; res. Ravenna, 0.
Rufus Henry, b. May 4, 1857; d. Feb.. 10, 1864.
161 Joel 6 Ranney (Joel 5 , Stephen 4 , Richard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ),
b. Sept, 10, 1802, Chatham, Conn.; m. ISTov. 24, L824, by. Epis. rec-
tor of Chatham, Elizabeth Mary Graham, b. May 1, 1805. Chatham.
Ct; d. Apr. 16, 1869, New "Albany, Ohio. He and his father
were members, 1818, of the Episcopal Parish. The father rem.
to New Jersey, and about 1817 to Plain Township, Franklin Co..
O., where he bought land on time. Ho returned to New Jersey
to earn money with which to pay for the land and ret. to Ohio
in fall of L'828, when his son Joel went there. Joel 8 died Dec. ".' 1.
is;;. New Albany, O. She d. Apr. 16, 1869.
Children :
M,M-v A., b. May 22, 1826; d. 1903; m. Hoffman.
365a Sylvester \\\. b. Mar. 7, 1830. (See Appendix.)
Harriet, b. Oct. 5, 1832; m. Headley.
366 Emily S., b. Jan. 15, 1835; m. Geo. Clark.
Edwin, 1). Dec. 19, 1837; m. ; d. Apr. 11, L842.
Abiah E., b. Feb. 12, 1839: unm.: d. Jan. 8, L879.
Sarah, b. Aug. 6, 1841; unm.: d. July L2, L852.
Eliza, I). June L3, L843; unm.: d. June 3, L852.
367 John H., b. dan. s. INK;.
368 Joel Cyrus, b. Feb. 8, 1818.
L62 Alanson Ranney 8 BJaox (Hannah 5 Ranney, Abner*, Rich-
ard 8 , John 2 , Thomas'), b. Aug. 7, L804, Blandford, Mass.; d. dan.
I, 1881, Cuvahoga Kails, <>.; m. July I. L826, Utica, \. V.. Catha-
rine O. Habermehl, b. Jan. 28, 1803, N". Y. City; d. Apr. 1:5. L840,
Dansville, \. v.; bookbinder; Rep.; Meth.
Chi I (Ire it :
369 Catherine Eliza, b. \Ia\ 27, L82'i ; m. Joseph C. Dana.
Gabriel Lauring, b. dime 27. L829: tn. Annie R. Burdick,
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 2T5
who d. 1907. She was the first teacher of Frances E. and
Mary Willard. (See " Glimpses of Sixty Years," by Miss
Willard.)
Harriet A., b. Oct. 27, 1830; d. Oct. 16, 1834.
370 Henrietta Matilda, b. Jan. 2, 1833 ; m. Rev. Thos. E. St. John.
Henry Hahermehl, b. May 15, 1835; 2nd Lieut. 13th Regt.
Wis. Vols.; res. Janesville, Wis.
Lemuel Gilbert, b. Dec. 30, 1837; d. Nov. 7, 1877.
371 Harriet Jane, b. Feb. 26, 1840; m. F. G. Knight.
163 Mary Ann 6 Ranney (Abner 5 , Abner 4 , Richard 3 , John 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Aug. 10, 1815, Augusta, N. Y. ; m. Feb. 25, 1840,
Sheridan, N. Y., James Sheldon Cook, b. Jan. 10, 1805, Whites-
town, N. Y.; farmer; Rep.; Bapt., who d. Sept. 5, 1877, Sheridan,
X. Y. She was Bapt. and d. May 10, 1884, Sheridan, N. Y.
Children :
Almon Lyman, b. Mar. 18, 1843.
372 Harriet Edna, b. Sept. 19, 1851; m. Harvey M. Bailey.
164 Lyman Wells 6 Rannev (Abner 5 , Abner 4 , Richard 3 , John 2 .
Thomas 1 )* b. Oct. 30, 1820, "Augusta, N. Y.; m. May 15, 1860,
Mary Elizabeth Van Naten, b. Feb. 3, 1843, Cooperstown, Pa.,
dau. of James Van Naten and Minerva N. Thayer. He was a
physician and d. Jan. 12, 1905, New Castle, Pa. Widow res. in
New Castle, Pa.
Children :
373 Cassius W., b. Feb. 18, 1861.
374 Robert B., b. Jan. 10, 1865.
374a Lura May, b. July 7, 1870; m. Henry M. Good.
165 Harmon 6 Rannev (Abner 5 , Abner 4 , Richard 8 , .John 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Oct. 12, 182*3, Augusta, N. Y. ; m. Jan. 8, 1850, Fre-
donia, N. Y., Julia Ann Cook, b. Jan. 1, 1831, Fredonia, N. Y..
dau. of Sheldon Cook and Mary Ann Newell, who d. Apr. 15,
1891, New Lisbon, Wis. He was a farmer; Rep.; and Bapt. Rem.
to Wis. in 1856; private Nov. 1, 1861, in 10th Wis. Battery;
trans, to 8th Battery, Mar. 31, 1862, and disc. July 19, 1862. He
d. June 6, 1901, Hustler, Wis.
Children :
375 Bernice, b. Mar. 9, 1851.
376 Sarah Etta, b. June 15, 1853.
377 Sheldon, b. Feb. 19, 1859.
378 Bertha, b. Apr. 11, 1867.
276 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
166 Timothy Alonzo 6 Kanney (Joel 5 , Abner 4 ), b. June 1, L811,
Augusta, N. Y.; d. July 26, 1886, West Falls, N. Y. ; m. Mar. 1,
1837, Springville, N. Y., Marv Alma Packard, b. June 11, 1818.
Aurora, N. Y., d. Aug. 25, 1891, Dunkirk, X. Y.; dau. of James
Packard and Content Wheeler. He was a farmer at Griffin's Mills
in early life. Being the oldest of a large family of children, much
responsibility rested upon him. He was much devoted to music,
played on an instrument in the Baptist choir, being a member of
that church, a Good Templar, and Democrat. A daughter writes:
" He belonged to the State militia and was a member of the band.
I have heard him tell of being in Buffalo when it was a small city
and in danger of an attack from the British. He was impressed
with the silence of the stern, set faces of the men who watched
the British boats that passed the city, not knowing what moment
the boom of the cannon might be heard. His pride in always
naving his word as good as gold, his always ' doing to others as
he would have them do to him ' made him a man much respected
and beloved by all. He carried the mark of the Eannevs with
him, hair as fine as silk and skin that remained soft and fair al-
though subjected to hard labor."
Children :
379 Lamira Corinthia, b. Sept. 1, 1840; m. A. G. Southwick.
380 Louise Content, b. Aug. 26, 1842; m. A. B. Harte.
James Packard, b. , 1851; lived 9 days.
381 Marv Adaline, b. Feb. 14, 1853 ; m. C. H. Decker.
381a Mattie Florence, b. June L5, L860; in. J. D. Thurber.
167 Caroline Amelia''' Rannej (Joel 5 , Aimer'. Richard 8 , John-,
Thomas 1 ), b. Feb. 16, 1824: d. Aug. 26, L889; m. Oct. 25, isi;.
Griffin's Mills. \. V.. Charles Miller Whitney, b. July 30, 1819.
Dunniston, Yt.. d. Apr. 1 1. L896, Easl Aurora, X. Y. Adv. agt. in
Buffalo at time of death. Pep.: Presb.
( -hildren :
Catherine, b. — , — : m. Hunt.
[da May, b. June 10. L857, Spring Brook, N". Y.; m. Nov.
21, 1883, Spring Brook, N. Y., Seward Griffin, b. Dec.
29, 1860, East Bamburg, X. Y. Res. Buffalo, N. Y.
L68 Lydia Jane" Rannej (Joel 6 , Abner*, Richard 8 , John 8 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Apr. L7, L835, Griffin's Mills. X. Y.; .1. Jan. 22,
L893; in. July ll. L861, Perry, V Y.. Thomas William Parker, b.
July 12, 1838, Mt. Morris, \. Y.: private Co. D, 157th Regt. \.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY ZVi
Y. Vols., July 30, 1863-Apr. 14, 1866; Dem.; Epis. ; G. A. R.;
res. Mt. Morris, N. Y.
Children :
. George Ebenezer, b. Apr. 23, 1862; d. Nov. 21, 1881.
Frank William, b. Sept, 27, 1863, Mt. Morris. N. Y. ; ra.
Apr. 23, 1890, Angelica, N. Y., Clementine W. Hinklev,
b. Feb. 28, 1866, Iowa; dam of Milton Jerome Hinklev
and Amelia Delphina Upson. He d. Mar. 1, 1896. Hard-
ware clerk; Dem.; Epis.; Maccabees. Widow Presb. ;
Maccabees; W. R. C.; Nat. Protective Legion; res. Canis-
teo, N. Y. Child:
Milton Thomas, b. June 14, 1891.
Lillie Harriet, b. Jan. 3, 1869.
Jennie Bell, b. Mar. 26, 1870.
169 John Sheldon 6 Eannev (Joel 5 , Abner 4 , Richard 3 , John 2 .
Thomas 1 ), b. Oct. 22, 1838, "Griffin's Mills, N. Y.; d. Apr. 15.
1902, Hamburg, N. Y.; m. Aug. 29, 1857, Griffin's Mills, Olive
Lucretia Waters, b. Feb. 10, 1839, Golden, N. Y. ; dan. of Asa
Waters and Anna Dudley. He was a cravon artist of reputation ;
Dem.; Bapt; Chief of Good Templars. Widow d. Jan. 17. 1903.
Child:
Frances May, b. May 8, 1879 ; m. Oct. 7, 1898, Robert Dun-
ham. Child:
Robert Lee.
170 Rowland ' Robinson 6 Rannev (Joel 5 , Abner 4 , Richard 3 ,
John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. May 10, 1824, Griffin's Mills, N. Y.; d. May
24, 1893, Wales, Erie Co., N. Y. ; m. Nov. 25, 1856, East Aurora.
N. Y., Ellen Crane, b. Oct. 10, 1839, East Aurora d. Oct. 20.
1894, East Aurora; dau. of Thomas Crane and Nancy Morgan.
He was a blacksmith and I. O. O. F.
Children:
Albert Crane, b. Jan. 16, 1863 ; d. Jan. 1, 1892.
Ellen Laura, b. Aug. 26, 1870; m. Apr. 10, 1889, Franklin
Peter Stillinger, b. Aug. 31, 1858, Bennington, N. Y.
Farmer; Dem.; Ger. Lutheran; res. Springbrook, N. Y.
Child:
Rowland Henry, b. Sept. 30, 1895.
171 Lafayette 6 Rannev (Joel 5 , Abner 4 , Richard 3 , John 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b." ," - — ; d. - , Dodge City. Kan-
278 MIDDLKTOWX UPPER HOUSES
sas; m. , Harriett Elizabeth Bumistead. R. R. eng. ;
Rep.; F. A. M.
Children :
Lafayette, b. , ; d. infant.
Cora' Belle, b. Mar. 29, 1861, Buffalo, X. Y. ; m. Jan. 17.
L884, Grand Island, Neb., Austin Taylor b. Dec. 11 1861,
Olean, Mo. Supt. Union Pacific R. R. ; B. P. 0. E. ; Mod-
ern Woodmen; res. Grand Island, Neb.
Nellie Edith, b. ; d. infant.
172 Oliver Franklin 6 Ranney (Oliver 5 , Abner 4 , Richard 3 ,
John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Apr. 1, 1813, Knoxboro, N. Y. ; m. (1) Nov.
9, 1836, Augusta, N. Y., Philena Strong, b. Sept 14, 1815,
Augusta, N. Y., d. Sept. 17, 1838, dau. of Salmon Strong and
Abigail Rice; m. (2) Feb. 4, 1841, Augusta Hannah Goodhue, b.
June 28, 1808; d. Feb. 7, 1898, Taberg, N. Y.; dau. of John
Goodhue, b. June 18, 1773; d. Dec. 26, 1856, Augusta, N. Y., and
Lovica Baker, b. Aug. 5, 1775, dau. of Daniel Baker and Han-
nah Ballard. Mr. Ranney contributed the Ranney data for the
Strong Genealogy; farmer; Rep.; Cong.; d. Aug. 28, 1887, Ta-
berg, N. Y.
Children by 2d marriage:
382 John Goodhue, b. Apr. 29, 1845.
383 Barzillai Frank, b. Dec. 24, 1847.
Emma Lovica, b. Oct. 7, 1851; d. Sept. 2, 1866.
173 Daniel Wells 6 Ranney (Oliver', Abner 4 , Richard'', John 2 .
Thomas 1 ), b. Oct. 4, 1819, Knoxboro, N. Y.; m. July 16, 1845,
Sandy Creek, N. Y., Rachel Lavina Warner, b. 1825, Vernon, X.
Y., dau. of Andrew Warner Jr., and Elizabeth Clark Young, who
d. 1879 in Mo.; Rep.; Meth.; studied med. ; in 1850 est. water cure
in Knoxboro; d. Apr. 10, 1866, in Florida.
Children :
384 Rudolph, b. July 30, L847.
385 Frank Warner, b. Feb. 8, 1850.
174 Eiram Mason 8 Ranney (Oliver'. A.bner 4 , Richard*, John 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. dan. 6, 1822 j m. Dec. 3, 1857, Forest Lake, Pa.,
Elizabeth dark, b. Sept. 29, is:;;;. LeRaysville, Pa., dau. of
Charles Clark, a banker, of Reading, l'a., who was b. in England.
In 8 da\ Mr. Ranney raised in Binghamton, N. Y., a company
of L10 men (Dickinson Guards) and camped in Elmira, bui was
rejected by the Burgeon. He became a sutler. lie ami his wife
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 279
were Spiritualists. He d. Dec. 18, 1888. Widow is inmate of
Odd Fellows' Home, Northfield, Minn.
Children:
Adalina Patti, b. Nov. 8, 1859.
Maurice Mason, b. Mar. 28, 1861.
Alexander Vance, b. Sept. 2, 186G.
174a Milo 6 Eanney (Wells 5 , Abner 4 , Richard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ),
b. , 1818; m. , Anna Van Tassel. He d. Jan.
25, 1895.
Children:
385a John Jay, b. Mar. 15, 1843.
Adaline Priscilla, b. Mar. 22, 1847.
Ophelia Ann, b. Mar. 11, 1852.
Phebe Anna, b. Sept. 22, 1853, m. Albert Richards. Chil-
dren :
Albert Daniel, b. Mar. 16, 1875.
George Eduard. b. Feb. 26, 1877.
Maryette, b. Apr. 10.
385b Milo Wells, b. Apr. 14, 1862.
175 Harvey Henderson 6 Ranney (Wells 5 , Abner 4 , Richard 3 ,
John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Aug. 8, 1823, Royalton, N. Y.; m. Nov. 15.
1849, Sarah Catherine Jones, b. June 12, 1833 ; d. Jan. 22, 1901 ;
dau. of David N. and Elmira Jones. He res. with dau. at Wood-
burn, Oregon.
Children:
386 Julia Almira, b. Jan. 8. 1852; m. E. A. Stanton.
Maryetta, b. Jan. 6, 1854; d. Feb. 17, 1855.
Franklin W., b. Nov. 16, 1856; d. May 19, 1861.
Ida May, b. Feb. 1864; d. Mar. 1864.
387 Charlotte Eliza, b. Apr. 29, 1866; m. A. Lee Whitelock.
388 Eva Belinda, b. July 16, 1869; m. Clarence W. Gillette.
Gracie Cora, b. Mar. 14, 1871; d. June 5, 1871.
Freddie Birdie, b. Jan. 20, 1872 ; d. Mar. 20, 1876.
Charles Edward, b. May 13, 1875 ; d. Aug. 10, 1896.
175a Daniel 6 Ranney (Wells 5 , Abner 4 , Richard 3 , John-'.
Thomas 1 ) b. 1822; m. Sophronia Christopher. Res. Middleport,
N. Y.
Children:
Julia Sarah, b.
Eben Francis, b. ; res. Buffalo, N. Y.
280 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Ella Mary, b. ; m. Orrin Enos.
Charles E., b. ; res. Royalton, N. Y.
L75b Franklin 6 Ranney (Wells 5 , Abner 4 , Richard 3 , John 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), m. Matilda Roberts.
Children: ,
John W.
Lyman.
George Franklin.
Rose. b. ; m. Sims.
L76 Collins Bartholomew Ranney (Wells 5 , Abner 4 , Richard 8 ,
John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Jan. 20, 1840, Rovalton, N. Y.; m. (1)
Jan. 2, 1873, Royalton, Elizabeth Singer, b. June 12, 1843, d.
May 23, 1884, dau. of Henry Singer and Elizabeth Hoover; m.
(2) Nov. 10, 1892, Emeline Fry, b. Jan. 27, 1855, dau. of Henry
Fry, farmer; Rep.; Meth. ; res. Clarence. Erie Co., X. Y.
Children by 1st marriage:
Geo. H., b. June 15, 1876; unm. ; res. Lockport, N". Y.
Nina E., b. Jan. 1, 1879; unm.; res. Hillsdale. \". V.
Lottie S., b. July 9. 1882.
Children by 2d marriage:
Carrie Eva, b. June 15, 1894.
Bertie D., b. Aug. 15, 1896.
177 Philo Ranney (Lyman 5 , Abner 4 . Richard", John 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Oct. 13, 1818, Perrvsburg, N. Y. ; d. Oct. .'.. L892,
York. Wis.: m. Oct. 26, 1845, York. Wis. (the first marriage in
the township), Sally Ann Thompson, b. June 11. 1829, Perrvs-
burg, \. Y, dau. of William Thompson and Mary Eaton; farmer;
Rep.; Town Treas. ; Supervisor; for 19 years Meth. (lass Leader,
absenl bul three times. The widow res. MEarshfield, Wis.
Children :
389 Francis Leroy, b. Dec. L6, 1847.
390 Julius Sheldon, 1». Oct. 2, L849.
:i'.»i Orcelia Sophronia, b. dan. 30, L851; m. M. W. Sawyer.
392 Man Eliza, b. Apr. 26, is:.:;; m. Silas Wilcox.
Elleii Jane, 1.. dan. i;. is:,' ; m . ||. M. Lackey, dau. Lyle
Mar. 1,. dime 22. 1SS9.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 281
Sarah Etta, b. July 4, 1859 ; d. unm., Mar. 3, 1885.
393 Oscar Jay, b. June 26, 1863.
394 Seymour Philo, b. July 19, 1866.
Clara Adell, b. Feb. 22, 1869; m. M. E. Muzzy; res. Marsh-
field, Wis.
Adalena, b. June 7, 1872; d. unm., Oct. 12, 1894.
178 Eliza 6 Ranney (Lyman 5 . Abner 4 , Richard 3 , John 2 .
Thomas 1 ), b. Apr. 12, 1821; d. July 12, 1869; m. Moses Wood,
d. Sept. 2, 1904, Madison, Wis.; rem. 1847 to Wis.; farmer;
Rep. ; Bapt.
Children :
Juliette, b. Apr. 6, 1841; d. Oct. 15, 1900; m. — .
Orselia, b. ; d. young.
Oren Christopher, b. Jan. 23. 1846; m. Dec. 19, 1869,
Theodocia Alwilda Bridges, b. Nov. 14, 1844, Canada
East, dau. of Rev. John Bridges and Sarah Hazelwood;
farmer, Rep., Advent Christian; res. Sac City, Iowa.
Children :
Edith Adella, b. July 27, 1871; m. Feb. 16, 1901, Sac
City, la., Frank Plum King, b. Nov. 5, 1872, Mc-
Lean Co., 111.; farmer, Rep. Res. Storm Lake, la.
Children:
Lavern Mae, b. Dec. 2, 1901.
Orrin* Franklin, b. Aug. 22, 1903.
Emma Jane, b. Aug. 31, 1875; unm.
Arabella May, b. Nov. 6, 1877; m. Sept. 16, 1900, Max
Frank Dorwood, b. Apr. 17, 1878, desc. of Scotch line ;
farmer, Christian Ch., anti-saloon ; res. Cottage
Grove, Oregon. Child:
Donald Larne, b. Oct. 1, 1901.
Evalena, b. Apr. 24. 1880; unm.
Viola Alwilda, b. Jan. 27, 1883; unm.
Franklin William, b. June 5, 1887; unm.
Elmira Melinda, b. Jan. 3, 1849; m. Mar. 7, 1871, William
Franklin Bridges, b. Aug. 14, 1847. Ontario. Canada;
d. Oct. 26, 1904, Tonkawa, Okla. ; farmer, then mer-
chant, Legion of Honor, Rep.: widow res. Tonkawa.
Okla. Children:
William Henry, b. Dec. 25, 1872; unm.
John Clinton, b. May 18, 1876; unm.
Clifford Alanson, b. Oct. 8, 1880; d. Mar. 10, 1885.
Nellie May, b. Oct. 20, 1884; d. Mav 25, 1889.
Satira Jane, b. Jan. 22, 1851 ; m. Dec. 25, 1872. York. Wis..
282 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
William Willingham Bewick, b. June 12, 1844, Madi-
son. Wis.; merchant, Bapt., Prohi.; res. Madison, Wis.
Children:
Clara Alice, b. Jan. 29. 1874; d. Sept. 23, 1905.
Margaret Edith, b. July 11, 1875; m. Geo. W. Britton :
farmer, Dep. Sheriff, Rep., Mod. Woodman; res.
Sun Prairie, Wis. Children:
Ralph B., b. Mar. 9, 1897.
Harold W., b. Jan. 13, 1901; d. Aug.. 1904.
Malcolm M., b. Oct. 11, 1905.
Thomas Lyman, b. Apr. 30, 1877.
Grace Beatrice, b. Mar. 8, 1879.
Jessie Rosewood, b. June 17, 1882; d. Feb. 22, 1885.
Wm. Medhurst, b. Dec. 24, 1884.
Clinton Laverne, b. Jan. 23, 1855, York, Wis. ; m. Jan.
23, 1878, Melissa Lovica Clark, b. Apr. 12, 1857, dan.
of Kendall Peabody Clark and Melissa Lovica Larrabee ;
farmer. Rep., Presb. ; she W. R. C. ; res. Fonda, Ta.
Ch ildren :
Inda Melissa, b. Dec. 7, 1878.
Mabel Eliza, b. June 1, 1880; m. Ernest Horst.
Willie Clinton, b. Jan. 24, 1883.
Verne Cyrus, b. Mar. 20, 1886.
Clavton Clark, b. Sept. 9, 1895.
Dewey Arthur, b. May 1, 1898.
179 Sophronia 8 Rannev (Lyman 5 , Aimer 1 , Richard 8 . John-,
Thomas 1 ), b. Oct. 16, 1822, Perrysburg, N. Y.; d. Jan. 7. 1905:
m. Oct. 29, 1844, Augusta, N. Y., Leander Vaughn, h. Jan. 10,
Smithville, N. Y. : farmer. Rep., Meth. ; res. Enid, Okla.
i // 7 / (J t'f' )l '
Adella, b. July 29, 1846; d. Feb., L862.
Clifford Eugene, b. Feb. 26, 1850; res. Sauli Ste Mane.
Ontario.
Carrie Augusta, b. Mar. (». 1858; m. Dee. 25, L875. Sterling.
111., Robert Emmet Church, b. Dec. 35, 1853, Portage-
ville. N. Y.; F. & A. M.. A. 0. V. \\\. Rep., miller;
n a. Enid, Okla. Children :
Lyman I'., 1). Aug. 20, 1877; num.; res. Breckinridge,
Mini).
Carrie Adelle, b. Feb. 22, L879; m. - Crawford:
re-. Lawton, < llda.
ie I iouise, b. dune L9*, 1 881 : imm.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 283
Eobert Lee, b. Aug. 9, 1883 ; unra. ; Troop L, 7th U. S.
Cav., Fort Oglethorpe, Dodge, Ga.
L. Gertrude, b. Dec. 28, 1889; unm.
180 Edward Allen 6 Rannev (Lyman 5 , Abner 4 . Kichard 3 , John 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Sept. 7, 1825, Perrysburg, N. Y.; d. May 8, 1867,
Tainter, Wis.; m. Mar. 9, 1847* Hartford, Conn., Orpha Bush-
nell. b. Nov. 3, 1825, Hartland, Conn., dau. of Isaac Bushnell
and Orpha Deming; farmer; widow res. Cedar Falls, la.
Children:
Mary, b. ; d. infant.
Harmon Eugene, b. Feb. 23, 1849: m. Jan. 4, 1873,
Menomonie, Wis., Mary Jane Furbur, b. Nov. 1, 1859,
Adams Co., Wis., dau. of Roger Furbur and Mary Ann
Adams; farmer, Rep., Meth.: res. Colfax, Wis. Chil-
dren :
Guy Eugene, b. Mar. 9, 1874.
Orpha Bell, b. Jan. 13, 1886.
Carlton Wallace, b. Dec. 2, 1851, Hartford, Conn.; m. Mar.
10, 1887, Sherman, Wis., Eosa Belle Furbur, b. Jan.
10, 1867, Sherman, dau. of Eogcr Furbur and Mary
Ann Adams; farmer, Prohi., Meth., M. W. of A.;
res. Cedar Falls, Wis. Children:
Llovd Allen, b. Aug. 13, 1888.
Mvrtle May, b. Jan. 31, 1891.
Eoger LeRov, b. July 7, 1893.
Lois Evangeline, b. Jan. 18, 1895.
Mary Angeline. b. Sept. 16, 1899.
Laura Sophronia, b. Aug. 7, 1854, Wis.; m. Nov. 27,
1877, Menomonie, Wis., Bvron Pitman Dammon. b.
Feb. 23, 1852, Eutland, Wis.: fanner. Town Clerk of
Sheridan, Wis., 1880-1881: Chairman Town Super-
visors, 1890; Maccabees ; res. Woodburn, Ore. Children:
Erma Estelle. b. Jan. 22, 1879 ; unm.
Clifford Byron, b. Nov. 10, 1888; unm.
Edna Abigail, b. May 4. 1892.
Mabel Orpha, b. Sept. 20, .•
Ada Louisa, b. 1855; d. Nov. 10, L887; m. Charles C.
Bennett. Child:
Mabel Ruth, b. July 7, 1873 ; unm ; res. Republic,
Washington.
Frank Edward, b. June 19, 1857, Tainter. Wis.; m. 1881,
River Falls. Wis., Minnie Jane Bouck, b. 1865. Win-
284 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
nebago Co., 111., dau. of Lorenzo Dow Bouck and Alta
Jane Trask; farmer, Pep., Seventh Day Advent: res.
Colfax, Wis. Children :
Alta May, b. Apr. 8, 1882,
Larue Franklin, b. Aug. 19, 1883.
Geo. Clinton, b. Sept. 25, 1888.
Mildred Mac, b. June 23, 1893.
Gladys Irene, b. Feb. 2, 1901.
George Burtis, b. May 2, 1864, Tainter, Wis.; m. May 2.
1897, Tainter, Carrie Almedia Danter, b. Dec. 12, 1880,
dau. of Thomas Danter and Sophia Amelia Yisger;
fanner. Rep.; res. Colfax, Wis. Children:
Eva Viola, b. May 21, 1898.
Ada Sophia, b. Feb. 19, 1900.
Julia Hannah, b. Mar. 13, 1902.
Grace Fern, b. June 29, 1904.
Edgar Allen, b. Aug. 16, 1867, Tainter. Wis.; m. Apr.
28, 1897, Tainter, Ellen Hannah Danter, b. dan. 31,
1874, dau. of Thomas Danter and Sophia Amelia Vis-
ger; farmer, Meth., Rep.; res. Wheeler, Wis. Children:
Agnes Laura, b. Aug. 12, 1898.
Elsie Fay, b. Nov. 17, 1899.
Ruth Hazel, b. Jan. 24, 1902.
Nellie May, b. Apr. 29, 1903.
181 Diana 6 Ranney (Lvman 5 , Abner 4 , Richard 3 , John 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. 1831; d. 1854; m. — , John Eckels, b. July
20, 1814, Harrisbiirg, Pa.; cooper. Rep.
Ch ildren :
Ransom, b. May 20, L849, Allegan Co.. Midi.; m. May II,
1886, Grand Eaven, Mich., Viola Schoonover, b. Mai-.
24, L860, Addison, X. Y., dan. of B. Schoonover and
Louisa Gee; shingle manufacturer, Rep., F. X- A. M..
O. E. S., I. O. 6. F.. B. P. O. E.; res. Arlington,
Wash. Child:
Hilda May, b. Oct. 11. L900.
Louisa, b. ; m. Abraham Givins.
182 Wan-en Ezrum" Ranney (Lyman", Abner*, Richard*.
John 2 . Thomas'), b. Mar. 14, 1838, Perrysburgh, \. Y. ; m.
July 21, 1864, Weal Portland, Wis., Eveline Elizaheth Linder-
man, b. .'an. 21, L844, West Portland, Wis.; d. May I. 1897,
Burlington, Kan.; dan. of Stephen Lindermau and Charlotte
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 285
Rue; farmer and engineer, Corp. Co. C, 11th Eeg. Wis. Vols..
Sept., 1861— Aug. 18, 1863; Rep., Meth., G. A. R.; res. Wray,
Colorado.
Children :
Hiram Elder, b. Sept. 6, 1866, W. Portland, Wis.; m.
Feb. 10, 1889, Burlington, Kan., Viola Catherine
Lanning, b. Dec. 25, 1869, Lowry, Mo., dau. of Joseph
Mayberry Lanning and Matilda Helen Dean, expert
accountant, lumberman, printer and editor, Dem., en-
rollment clerk of La. Senate, K. of H. ; res. Spring-
field, La. Children:
Harry Lee, b. Dec. 20, 1889.
Carl Albert, b. July 11, 1893.
Marion Elmer, b. Feb. 5, 1898; d. Dec. 17, 1899.
Walter Eugene, b. Dec. 30, 1903.
Charles Dexter, b. June 21, 1868, York, Wis.; m. Aug.
8, 1892, Galena. 111., Anna Sophia Young, b. Nov. 8,
1870, Galena, dau. of Christian Young and Sophia
Dublin; tinsmith, Rep., Cong.; res. Chicago, 111.
Ethel Fav, b. Feb. 4, 1896; d. Sept. 5. 1898.
Charles David, b. June 18, 1899; d. June 18, 1899.
Vera Evelyn, b. Dec. 16, 1900.
Oscar Minor, b. Nov. 7, 1870, Fenton, la. ; m. Nov. 8, 1899.
Burlington, Kan., Docia Dodd, b. July 14, 1870, dau.
of Ennis K. Dodd and Marv L. Brocan; harness maker,
Rep., Meth.. 32° Masonry; d. July 1, 1906; no
children.
Fred Warren, b. Sept. 25, 1877; res. Parsons, Kans.
183 Dewitt Clinton 6 Rannev (Lyman 5 , Abner*, Richard 3 , John-,
Thomas 1 ), b. May 22, 1840, Perrvsburg, N. Y.; m. June 6. 1864.
New Albion, N. Y., Mary Ann (Wood) Clark, b. Mar. 21, 1844,
Hanover, N. Y., dau. of Jason Wood and Hannah Featherbv. and
widow of James Madison Clark, of Co. C, 64th N. Y. Vols. At
the age of five weeks Mr. Rannev was taken from his mother's
grave, and adopted by Andrew Keyes. For over forty years he
knew nothing of his relatives. He enlisted in 1863, but did not
pass the medical examination; farmer at Hastings, Mich, where
he d. Nov. 17, 1906; widow res. there.
Children:
George D., b. Apr. 5, 1868; res. Cincinnati, O.
Maud Josephine, b. Jan. 28, 1874; m. Clarence F. Brown;
res. Ithaca, N. Y.
386 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Ada Blanche, b. May 28, 1881; m. May 30, 1899, Claude
Eugene Booth; res. Kalamazoo, Mich. Child:
George D., b. June 27, 1900.
184 Caroline Celinda 6 Banner (Lyman 6 , Abner\ Richard 8 ,
John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Nov. 9, 1841, Perrysburg, N. Y.; m. Nov. 4,
1860, Silver Creek, Chautauqua Co., N. Y.. James Albert Grau-
tier, b. Sept. 19, 1832, Argusville, N. Y. ; farmer, Dem. ; res.
Forestville, N. Y. Children:
Children:
Morrell Edgar, b. Sept. 22, 1863 ; m. Sept. 11, 1888, James-
town, N. Y., Helen Isabel Gage, b. Nov. 2, 1867. Smith
Mills, N. Y., dau. of Judson Gage and Amelia Pope;
farmer; res. Dunkirk, N. Y. Child:
Alice, b. July 25, 1891 ; d. Apr. 29, 1892.
Alvin Allen, b. Dec. 16. 1871; unm.; res. Forestville.
N. Y.
Trwin Norton, b. Aug. 31, 1875, Yillenova, N. Y. ; m. Oct.
26, 1898, Alice May Perkins, b. June 27, 1881, Yil-
lanova, dau. of Dennis Perkins and Mary Elizabeth
Danker; farmer, Rep., I. 0. O. F. : res. Forestville.
N. Y. Children:
Martin Lewis, b. May 28, 1899.
Blanch Isabel, b. Oct. 12, 1900.
185 Justin Worthy e Ranney (Eli 5 , Abner 4 , Richard 3 , John 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Jan. 3^ 1821, Augusta, N. Y.; m. Dee. 30, L849,
Elizabeth Quaekenbush, b. Mar. 25, 1825, Stockbridge, X. V..
dau. of John Quaekenbush, who d. Nov. 19, 1881, West Salem,
Wis.; farmer, Rep., Con-. Ch.; d. Sept. 13, L898, Wes\ Salem,
Wisconsin.
Children :
Clara M., b. Mar. •!, is:,1 ; ,1. June 12, 1877.
Cassius M.. b. Mar. 9, L855; unm.
Edwin 11.. b. Nov. 15, 1858; d. F<k 25, 1876.
M;m. i;.. I,. Feb. 18, 1864; .1. June L5, 1885.
Minnie L., b. Feb. 18, 1864; d. Sept. 3, L864.
.i.-i\ Worthy, b. July 22, L870, Wea\ Salem, Wis.; m. Dee.
31, 1898, Stella B. Smith, b. May 3, is;;;. Wesl Salem.
dau. of Franklin B. Smith and ('. Best; Earmer, Rep ;
pi 3. Wesl Salem, Wis. Children :
Edna Elizabeth, h. Mar. 25, L900.
Franklin Justin, b. Apr. 85, L903.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 287
186 Harmon 6 Eannev (Eli 5 , Abner 4 , Eichard 3 . John 2 , Thomas 1 ),
1). June 27, 1823, Brooklyn, Wis.; m. Lucy Ann Smith, b. 1837.
d. Apr., 1890, Mitchel Gulch, Montana. He farmer. Catholic at
death, Aug. 24. 1900, Shelby, Mont.
Children:
395 Lovisa Jane, b. 1854.
396 Sarah Janette, b. Feb. 17, 1856.
397 Flora Ann. b. Feb. 17, 1860.
Mary Evaline, b. May 24, 1862; d. May 12, 1879; m.
Nov. 25, 1877, Duane Francis Doggett.
Charles Francis, b. .
398 George Frederick, b. May 12, 1871.
399 Eosetta Ida, b. May 6, 1874.
187 Nancv Jane 6 Eannev (Eli 5 . Abner 4 , Eichard 3 . John-.
Thomas 1 ), b. Nov. 12, 1826* Augusta, N. Y. ; m. Sept. 6, 1848.
Gowanda, N. Y., Nathaniel- Hurd Miner, b. Aug. 14, 1825, Perrys-
burg, N. Y., d. Jan. 7, 1905, Emerson, la. ; farmer, Eep., MetL ;
widow, res. Emerson, la.
Children:
Homer George, b. July 29, 1849; d. Sept. 19. 1882; m.
Aug., 1881. Octavia Adaline Collings, b. Jan. 21, 1861,
Oklahoma; d. Feb. 22, 1886; res. Apache, Okla. Child:
Minnie Adaline. b. Aug. 5,1882.
Mary Isabel, b. July 25, 1852; d. Nov. 30, 1892; m. Silas
Parks Tavlor, who res. Auburn, la. Children:
Eva M.
Harry D.
Flovd H.
John W.
Martha Jane. b. Apr. 12, 1856; unm ; res. Emerson, la.
Lydia Ann, b. Aug. 7, 1869; m. William Louis Lloyd; res.
Emerson, la. Children:
John Raymond, b. Apr. 6. 18!):;.
Mary Elvira, b. Apr. 11, 1898.
188 Julius Ca3sar 6 Banney (Eli 5 , Abner 4 , Eichard 3 , John 2 .
Thomas 1 ), b. Feb. 20, 1829, Augusta. N. Y.; m. Aug. 29, 1819.
Dayton, N. Y.. Nancy Maria Milk, dan. of Luke Milk and Saloma
Adams, shoemaker; d. May 8, 1906, Mavnard, Iowa.
Children:
LOO Luke. b. July 30, 1850.
lol Nathan Arms, b. Aug. 27, 1853.
288 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Benj. Franklin, b. Apr. 7. 1856; d. unm., Mar. 7, 1884.
402 Alfred Herrick, b. Oct. 3, 1858.
Henrv, b. Apr. 21, 1861 ; d. Dec. 14, 1865.
t03 Hermon, b. July 8, 1863.
t04 Saloma Evaline^ b. Nov. 22, 1867.
405 Justine Warren, b. Dec. 8, 1870.
189 Lovisa 8 Pannev (Eli 5 , Abner 4 , Eichard 3 . John 2 , Thomas 1 ).
>.. Aug. 21, 1831, Augusta, N. Y. ; m. Dec. 17, 1851. Gowanda.
X. Y., De Witt Clinton Brand, b. June 27, 1824, Erie Co., N. Y. ;
farmer, Pep., United Brethren Ch. ; rem. 1854 to Indianola, la. ;
r< -. there.
Children:
406 Alice Serizah, b. Nov. 20, 1852; m. H. D. Brown.
407 Sarah Evaline, b. Jan. 28, 1857; m. J. M. Lehman.
Frances Delinda, b. Mar. 17. 1859; d. Jan. 11, 1860.
408 George Clinton, b. Feb. 24, 1861.
409 Minnie Louisa, b. May 28, 1865;' m. Wm. Peverlv.
Warren David, b. May 1, 1867; unm.
410 Marv Jane, b. Apr. 6, 1869 ; m. Wm. Comer.
411 Carrie Elizabeth, b. Mar. 19, 1871; m. Feb. 23, 1890.
Clifton Hall ; 3 children. ; res. Indianola.
Nellie Eliza, b. July 23, 1873; m. Mar. 8, 1905, John P.
Lundy, Pres. of Bank of Spring Hill. la.; Dem., F.
& A. M., I. O. O. F., M. W. A.; res. Spring Hill. la.
190 Frank Eli° Rannev (Eli 5 . Abner 4 , Richard 3 , John-.
Thomas 1 ), b. Sept. 25, 1837, Augusta, N. Y.; m. Mar. 1. 1859,
Perrysburg, N. Y., Adelaide Lovina Wells, b. Feb. 26, 1841, Dav-
ton, N. Y., dau. of William Wells (b. Mar. 7, 1810. Sangerfield,
N. Y.), and Mary Jane Ellis, b. June 22, 1822, Tioga Co., N. Y. ;
Corporal Co. G, 10th Iowa Inf., Sept. 2, 1862— May 28, 1865, in
many battles; Rep., Meth., A. O. U. W., farmer.: rem. 1844, to
Perrysburg, N. Y., 1853, to Iowa; 1865. to Wesl Perrysburg,
N. V.. where (hey reside.
Children :
II.' Charles Clinton, b. Mav 3, 1860.
Il."> Frank Millard, b. Sept. 12, 1861.
William Wells, b. Mar. 7, 1869; unm.
George Ellis, b. Mar. l!>. L870; m. July 16, 1892, Emma
Dawley; farmer. Rep., Meth.; res. Perrysburg, N. V.
Grace Eva, 1.. .lam 3, is; 1 ; m. Dec. 24, L891, Orten Wa-
trous; farmer, Rep.; res. Perrysburg, N. Y. Child:
i; . Orton, b. Mar. 7, L900.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 289
191 Elizabeth Evelyn 6 Ranney (Eli 5 , Abner 4 , Richard 3 , John 2 .
Thomas 1 ), b. July 9, 1840, Augusta, N. Y.; d. Jan. 12, 1892,
Colfax, la.; m. Sept. 10. 1857, Warren Co., la., Alfred Francis,
b. May 19, 1827, Erie Co., N. Y. ; Corporal Co. G, 3d Iowa Tnf..
May 8, 1861 — June 24, 1864, in many battles; retired farmer.,
Rep., Meth.. G. A. R.; res. Spring Hill, Iowa.
Children:
Cadwin Eli, b. Mar. 29, 1865; m. Aug. 25, 1897, Lydia
Emma Amburg; res. Valeria, Iowa. Children:
Irene Viola, b. Feb. 22, 1899.
Mabel Elizabeth, b. Sept. 11, 1901.
Justin Simon, b. Nov. 25, 1870; d. Apr. 6, 1884.
192 Helen Amelia 6 Rannev (Eli 5 , Abner 4 , Richard 3 . John 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Oct. 31, 1847, Perrysburg, N. Y.; m. Mar. 10. 1867,
West Plain, la., Lewis Smith Kennedv, b. June 19, 1837, Wash-
ington Co., Pa,; d. Feb. 16, 1906; farmer. Rep., Friends Ch. ;
Second Sergeant Co. M, 2d Nebraska Cav., May 24, 1863— Dec.
23, 1863; wounded in right arm Sept. 3, 1863; widow res. Nor-
walk, la.
Children :
Charles Francis, b. Nov. 25, 1869; m. Jan. 11, 1899, Nettie
Turner; res. Norwalk, la. Children:
Earl, b. Nov. 8, 1899.
Bessie, b. Aug. 11, 1901.
Elsie, b. Mar. 14, 1903.
Edith, b. June 12, 1905.
John Frederick, b. Mar. 13, 1875; m. Dec. 22, 1898, Stella
Brubacker; res. Orillia, la. Children:
Helen Sophia, b. Aug. 11. 1899.
Stella Rose, b. Apr. 2, 1901 ; d. Apr. 29, 1901.
Mabel Teresa, b. Feb. 3, 1903.
John Thomas, b. Nov. 13, 1905.
193 Rebecca 6 Ranney (Joseph 5 . Fletcher 4 , Joseph 3 , Joseph 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Sept. 24, 1780, Upper Houses; m. (1) Nov., 1801,
John Edwards, bapt. Aug. 10, 1775, son of Churchill Edwards
(Churchill 5 , David 4 ), and Lucy Eells, dau. of Rev. Edward Eells.
He d. 1803, in the West Indies. She m. (2) May 15, 1810, Cap-
tain Thomas White, b. June 10, 1773, Upper Houses; shipmaster,
d. Sept. 13, 1819. She d. May 4, 1871.
290 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Children by 1st marriage:
Emeline, b. ; m. Aug. 3, 1823, Roderick Stock-
ing.
Children by 2d marriage:
Catherine L., b. July 9, 1811; d. unra., Oct. 15, 1833.
Ruth, b. June 6, 1813; d. Sept. 10, 185G ; m. Sept. 19,
1839, Edmund Beaumont. He d. July 13. 1872, Chil-
dren:
William, b. Jan. 19, 1855; d. Jan. 21, 1855.
Thomas White, b. Sept. 3, 1856; m. Sept. 30, 1880, Jane
Hanmer, postmaster, Cromwell, Conn.
Clarissa, b. July, 1815; d. Aug. 8. 1815.
Augusta, b. Jan. 1, 1821 ; d. unm., Aug. 28, 1897.
194 Moses Ranney (Joseph 5 , Fletcher 4 , Joseph 3 , Joseph 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Dec. 2*2, 1785, Upper Houses;, m. Mar. 7. 1807.
Elizabeth Gilchrist- Ranney, b. Aug. 16, 1786, dau. of Samuel
Ward 8 Ranney. He was a hatter in Middletown, baptized by
immersion by the Episcopal rector. Jan. 27, 1812, and d. Feb.
9, 1812. Raised in St. Johns Lodge, Apr. 11, 1810. Widow
rem. 1830. to Cincinnati. O.. and d. Sept. 7, 1859, at Spartans-
burg, Indiana.
Children:
II I Mary, b. Aug. 2, 1807; m. John Hough.
415 Henrv Joseph, b. 1809.
416 Moses, b. June, 1811.
195 Calvin 8 Ranney (Joseph 5 , Fletcher 4 , Joseph 8 , Joseph 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Apr. 15, 1791. ('[.per Eouses; m. (1) .
Marv 5 Sage, b. , 1784; d. ; dau. of Timothy 4
(Timothy 8 , Timothy 2 , David 1 ); -lied. ; m. (2)
:. L815, Clarissa S. Williams, who d. Aug. II. 1825. He d.
lug. L6, 1818, Upper Houses.
< 'hild hi/ 2d marriage :
1 1 : Asa Sage. bapt. Oct. 3, 1817.
L96 Norman 8 Rannej (Joseph 8 , Fletcher 4 , Joseph 8 , Joseph-.
Thomas 1 ), b. Apr. 22, 1793, Upper Eouses; m. Nov. L5, 1820,
Southington, Conn., Mary B. Wilcox. Ee d. Oct. 9, L825. She m.
(2) Nov. L2, L837, Benjamin Barnes of Southington. They re-
sided Upper Eouses. She d. Feb. I. 1875, aged 77 wars. Ee d.
36, L843, aged 38 years.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 291
Children by 1st marriage:
418 Polinda Eliza, b. Aug. 21, 1821; m. Samuel Wilson Lee
Clark.
Jane Wilcox, b. — ; d. num., Oct. 12, 1847.
197 Martin 6 Ranney (Simeon 5 , Fletcher 4 , Joseph 3 , Joseph-.
Thomas 1 ), bapt. June 1 9, 1788, Upper Houses; m. Aug. 7, 1812,
Harriet Hall Bound, b. July 25, 1795, Greenfield, Mass., dau. of
Ephraim Bound (b. Jan. 14, 1773), and Sarah Francis (b. Sept. 9,
1769). Mr. Bound had come to Middletown to reside. He had two
daughters. " The two daughters of Ephraim Bound were acknowl-
edged beauties in their day, being queenly and stately, and having
classical features and figures, invariably attracting admiring atten-
tion wherever they appeared." Martin Ranney died Sept. 10, 1812,
only a month after marriage. On Sept. 25, 1815, the widow mar-
ried James K. Frothingham of Charlestown, Mass. The probate
record shows: coffin. $5.25; tolling bell, 50 cents; digging grave,
$2.00; attendance on hearse, 38 cents; gravestone. $10.10; paid
his sub. to Baptist meeting house, $8.00. It did not cost much
to die in those days. Served in War of 1812, Aug. 18, 1814 to Oct.
25, 1814, under Capt. Isaac Webber.
Child:
Harriet M., b. Feb., 1813. Posthumous.
198 Horace 6 Ranney (William 5 , Fletcher 4 , Joseph 3 . Joseph'-',
Thomas 1 ), bapt. Oct. 28, 1791, Upper Houses; m. Ruth Tuell,
b. Middletown; farmer and shoe mfr., Winsted, Berlin, and
Upper Houses; raised in St. John's Lodge, Feb. 27, 1827; d.
Aug. 7, 1834; she d. Mar. 4, 1875.
Children:
Martin L., b. July 26, 1814; d. 1848, Vicksburg, Miss.
Horace, b. July 21, 1816 ; d. unm, 1870, St. Louis, Mo. Left
much property to charitable and church purposes.
Julia Ann, b. Aug. 11, 1818; d. June 17, 1856; m. Horace
Higby.
419 Edwin Hiram, b. Sept. 11, 1820.
420 Henrv W., b. Oct. 15, 1822.
Alexander, b. = ; d. Oct. 2, 1826.
199 William 6 Ranney (William 5 , Fletcher 4 , Joseph' 1 , Joseph 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), bapt. June 9, 1793. Upper Houses; m. Elizabeth
292 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Bailey, b. 1790, Middle Haddam, Conn.; farmer, Dera. ; d. Feb.
23, 1844; she d. May 18, 1878. Their son, Zenas Edwards, erected
the costly monument seen herewith.
Children:
421 Martha, b. June 1, 1817; m. S. J. Baisden.
Charles, b. Dec. 10, 1818; d. unm., Aug. 7, 1857, California.
422 Timothv, b. Jan. 21, 1821.
Titus, b. Sept. 5, 1823; d. Sept. 16, 1828.
123 Benjamin, b. June 3, 1825.
Geo. C, b. Apr. 11, 1827; rem. to California.
L24 Zenas Edwards, b. Jan. 28. 1829.
William H., b. June 3, 1831; drowned Dec. 25, 1841.
Andrew J., b. Oct. 26, 1833; d. unm.. Oct. 29, 1871.
Titus, b. May 15, 1836; rem. to California.
Joseph, b. Mar. 14, 1840; d. Aug. 15, 1840.
200 George 6 Banney (William 5 , Fletcher 4 , Joseph 3 , Joseph 2 .
Thomas 1 ), bapt. July 26, 1795, Upper Houses: m. Dec. 6, 1821,
Upper Houses, Alma White, b. July 18, 1797, Upper House*, dan.
of John White and Ruth Ranney (see the White family) ; mfr.
boots and shoes; he d. May 16, 1842; she d. May 20, 1877.
Children :
425 William Keith, b. Nov. 1, 1822.
126 Altnini Maria, b. Nov. 1. 1824.
427 Samuel P>., b. Nov. 6, 1827.
201 Sarah" Ranney (William 5 . Fletehcr 4 . Joseph 3 , Joseph'-,
Thomas'), bapt. Apr.' 10, 1797, Upper Houses : m. Oct. 28, 1821,
Archibald Kinney, b. Oct. 24, 1794, Union. Conn., son of Joel
Kinney ami Chine Cum-, teacher, farmer, Dem., Epis. ; d. Mar.
II. L867, Sutlield, Conn.; she d. Jan. 29. L890.
Children:
Timothy William, b. July 2-?. 1822.
Sarah Olive, b. Aug. 13,"l826.
Elizabeth Coye, 1,. June L6, L828; -1. May 20, L838.
202 Benry" Ranney (William 6 . B'letcher*, Joseph 8 , Joseph-.
Thomas 1 ), b. May 5, 1804, Opp'er Bouses; m.
Middlefield, Conn., Mary Biveris, b. May L7, 1806; fanner, Dem.
Bapt. Deacon; he d. Aug. 10, L862; sh« d. Apr. L0, L891.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 293
Children:
Benjamin, b. Mar. 29, 1S27; d. young.
Caroline, b. Apr. 26. 1830; d. young.
428 Mary Melissa, b. Oct. G, 1832; m. E. R. Blinn.
429 Caroline Hamlin, b. Feb. 19, 183G; m. R. B. Hale.
430 Benjamin Henry, b. Feb. 3, 1840.
203 Joseph 6 Banney (William 5 , Fletcher 4 , Joseph 3 , Joseph-.
Thomas 1 ), b. Aug. 20, 1807, Upper Houses; m. Jan. 1, 1834,
Cleveland, O., Lucenia Fox. b. Sept. 24, 1807, Leroy, N. Y. ; shoe
dealer, Rochester, N. Y., Cleveland, O.; Bapt. ; he d. Aug. 4,
1873; she d. 1885, Cleveland, O.
Children:
Mary, b. Feb. 22. 1837; d. Dec. 21, 1873.
Sarah Kinnev, b. Dec. 14, 1847; unm. ; res. Cleveland, O.
William, b. May 23, 1849 ; d. July 15, 1851.
204 William W. 6 Ranney (Charles 5 , Hezekiah 4 , Joseph 3 , Jo-
seph 2 . Thomas 1 ), b. Sept. 5, 1805; m. July 4, 1827, Boston, Mass..
Susan C. Clark, b. Dec. 16, 1806, Boston; d. June 28, 1870; dau.
of Daniel Clark and Susanna Clow; he d. Mar. 5, 1852, Liver-
more, Ky. His portrait is given herewith. He was induced by
his brother, James Stow, to give up a good business in Newbury-
port, Mass., and " make a sylvan home for himself and family "
in Kentucky. The story is related by his son, William W.
" This my father was inclined to do, and so, about May, 1839,
we all left our Massachusetts home for what was then called
the Great West. After many vicissitudes, and about thirty days'
travel, we arrived at Owensboro, a place of about five hundred in-
habitants. There we found teams and ' vehicles ' to convey us
twenty miles to our new Woodland home. From Boston
to Providence, R. I., we traveled on a railroad, the cars being
something like our present day country omnibuses. At Provi-
dence we took passage for New York on the good steamer Lex-
ington, which, later, was burned, causing the death of several
hundred passengers. From New York we went up the Hudson
to Albany, and there took the cars for Schenectady, the terminus
of the railroad. Thence we went by canal to Buffalo. From Buf-
falo to Cleveland we sailed on the steamer Swiftsure, having a
cargo consisting largely of turpentine and rosin. The boat caught
fire, and, while we were badly frightened, the fire was put out
with little damage. We then went south by canal, through the
dense Ohio woods, to Portsmouth, on the Ohio River, and boarded
the Monsoon, a new boat making 1km- first trip to New Orleans.
294 MIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES
Stuck on a sandbar at Flint Island, and all the passengers went
ashore, the merchandise was put on barges, and, by throwing
a lot of bacon in the fires, extra steam was gotten up, and, after
two days, we made a start. Now as to ' vehicles.' A large black
gum tree had been cut down, measuring three feet in diameter.
This was sawed off for wheels, about eight inches in thickness,
dressed down to three inches on the outside, leaving what might
be called a hub in the center, four inches in diameter, to receive
the axle of wood. On this was built the body which held our goods,
called by the people ' plunder.' An old fashioned road wagon,
with a body as crooked as a rainbow, carried the family, and on
we went creakety creak, creaketv creak, to our place of desti-
nation."
Children:
William W., b. May 21, 1828; d. Sept. 27, 1828.
Susan Clark, b. Sept. 16. 1829; d. Feb. 10, 1830.
431 William W., b. Nov. 29, 1830.
George, b. Aug. 13, 1832; d. Jan. 31, 1838.
132 Susan Clark, b. Aug. 13, 1834; m. A. J. Atherton.
t33 Isabella, b. Mar. 10, 1837.
1:34 George, b. July 24, 1839.
Charles James, b. June 6, L842; d. Sept. 30, 1851.
Maria Serena, b. Dec. 27, 1844; d. Jan. 8, 1845.
Maria Serena, b. Apr. 10, 1846. Is a nurse. Has taken
a deep interest in the work of the Society of Middle-
town Upper Houses. Pes. Austin, Minn.
■.'<»:, Abigail 8 Ranney (Charles 6 , Eezekiah*, Joseph 8 , Joseph 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. June 15* 1810, L'ansingburg, N. Y. ; d. Apr. 1. L874,
Waterford, X. Y.: m. Aug. 24, is:;:,. Waterford. X. Y.. Lvsanda
Button, b. Sept. 2, L810, North Eaven, Conn.; d. July ••'.). L898,
Cohoes. N. Y. : Presb. Elder for over fifty years; mfr. of hand
and 'ire engines and apparatus.
Children :
Mary Josephine, b. dune is. L836; d. June 22, L858.
Eliza, b. dan. 11. L841; m. George II. Page. Res. Cohoes,
X. Y.
Theodore Edwin, 1>. Dec. 16, L844; d. Feb. 22. L905.
Julia Mead, l>. June 22, L846; d. Aug. 20, is;;.
Charles Ranney, b. Apr. 21, L852. Presby. eider. Res.
VPaterford, X. Y.
206 .1:1111' Stow" Ranney (Charles 6 , Eezekiah 4 , Joseph", • !<>
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 395
seph 2 . Thomas 1 ), b. July 15, 1813, Albany, X. Y. ; m. Feb. 9,
1842, Liverraore, Ky., Hettie Jane Atherton, b. Aug. 15, 1837,
Livermore, Ky.; d. "Nov. 28, 1863, Select, Ky.; dau. of William
Atherton. He was a carpenter, farmer, Dem.; d. Nov. 25, 1890,
Select, Ky.
Children:
Lelia, b. Oct. 23, 1843; d. Mar. 25, 1844.
Seth P., b. Apr. 24, 1845 ; m. . Res. ( Iromwell, Kv.
John, b. Julv 15, 1847; d. Feb. 10, 1849.
Lelia Susan," b. Sept. 10, 1849; m. .
Marv Ann, b. Aug. 23, 1851 ; m.
Sarah Mehitable, b. Aug. 24, 1851; m. - .
Lydia Sophia, b. June 27, 1857; m. .
439 Charles William, b. Feb. 28, 1860.
John J., b. May 7, 1863; d. Jan. 5, 1864.
207 Jabez 6 Ranney (Hezekiah 5 , Hezekiah 4 , Joseph 3 , Joseph-.
Thomas 1 ), b. Aug. 15, 1799, Upper Houses; m. Mar. 3, 1824,
Troy, N. Y., Rheny Packard, b. , d. , dau. of
Timothy and Aholibamah Packard. He resided in Rochester and
Geneseo, N. Y., as a merchant many years. He rem. 1883 to
Howell, Mich., passing most of his time with his daughter. Mrs.
Dr. Wells; Methodist, F. & A. M.; d. Feb. 8, 1888.
Children :
440 Julia Maria, b. Feb. 9, 1825; m. Dr. Wm. L. Wells.
441 Harriet Cornelia, b. Nov. 25, 1827; m. Milo Lee Gay.
Infant, b. 1830; d. unmarried.
442 Julius Augustus, b. Aug. 23, 1831.
Emily Jane, b. Aug. 20, 1834.
442 Jennie Mary, b. Nov. 30, 1836: m. Wm. McPherson, Jr.
I 14 Frank George, b. Apr. 9. 1838.
Frederic Lima, b. Mar. 22, 1840; d. Feb. 23. 1841.
445 Frederick Packard, b. Oct. 24, 1844.
Infant, b. June, 1851; d. unnamed.
209 Rev. Roderick Hartshorn 6 Ranncv (Roderick 5 , Hezekiah'.
Joseph 3 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. 1806. Salem, N. Y.; m. Dec.
29, 1842, Clinton, La., Malvina Mills, b. Apr. 22, 1822, Frelighs-
burgh, Canada, dau. of Captain John Mills, of British Army in
War of 1812. The widow resides in Yoakum. Texas. He d. Oct.
1, 1877, Galveston, Texas. He was ordained Oct. 11. L835, by
the Rt. Rev. B. T. Onderdonk, of the Diocese of New York. The
compiler of this volume, finding his name in the Episcopal A I-
29G MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
manac, addressed him, and obtained replies in 1873 and 1875.
from which I quote: "My grandfather Hezekiah, sometime
taught school, as I chanced to learn by an incident he related of
having flogged (for using disrespectful language to an old man, as
they were taking a sleighrido past the house at night) six young
men, his pupils larger than himself; for in those days the teacher
was held responsible for the pupils' conduct at all times and all
places. The parents heard their sons were to be flogged the third
day, and came to see him, saying, "You are not able to do it. and
will get flogged yourself.' ' Well, I'll try it,' was his answer.
' No,' they said, ' we have contrived for you. We will keep four
of them home to-morrow, and send two whom you can flog, and so
also on the two succeeding days.' A few days after having been
flogged, these same young men, feeling the necessity of progress-
ing faster in their studies, came to him with the request that
he would give them evening lessons ' for a consideration.' "
Speaking of himself, he writes, 1873: " Mv life has been
checkered, sometimes in charge of a church, sometimes engaged
in teaching and working gratis for the church, as T have generally
done. For five years president of the college in Baton Rouge,
La. Have been in Texas since 1857, out of duty; cast off, as it
were, by the church, and at the age of 67 building with my own
hands a house to live in. Perhaps I should mention that I re-
sided in Guadaloupe County, 'Texas, during the Rebellion, would
not use the Rebel prayers ordered by the bishop; prayed, not
for ' the President of the United States.' but for ' the Chief Mag-
istrate of our Country.' Some said I ought to be hanged, but
I was on too inti tunic terms with some of the most influential
Rebels to be in much danger."
Children :
Sarah Eliza, b. Dec. 26, 1813, Illinois: m. - Woodall.
Res. Yoakum, Texas.
Frederick Danforth, b. Oct. 23, 1846, Mississippi; num.;
in business San Antonio. Texas.
Emily Sprague, b. Nov. 27. L849, Louisiana; d. Jan. 16,
1892, San Marco, Texas.
Matthias Guy, It. An::. 9, L857, Texas; m.; in business San
Antonio, Texas.
210 Jacob Lansing 6 Etanney (Roderick 6 , Eezekiah 4 , Joseph 8 ,
Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Apr. 26, L807, Salem, \. Y.: m. Mar. 3.
.1835, Christian Chisholm, b. Apr. L9, 1811, Canada: d. Jan. 31,
1888, Chicago, [11. ; Jan. of William Chisholm, of the Chisholms of
Rev. Joseph Addison Ranney
(See page 320)
Joseph Addison Ranney
(See page 423)
Clifford [ra Ranney
(See page 421)
w \i 1 1 u Roy Ranney
(See page 423)
David Gabdneb Ka.\.\i:y
(See page 297)
Georgk 1 1 i:\ky Kawi
(See page 400)
Willis RANNE"J
Ai i i:i D < I \i;i'\i B I! \ N MY
I Si ■■ page 400)
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 297
Inverness, Scotland, and Rejoice Remington of Conn. He engaged
in business in Canada, went in 1837 to Geneseo N. Y., to Michigan
in 1843, to Northfield, 111., in 1847, where he was town clerk; d
Apr. 1, 1860. Northfield, 111.
Children:
Roderick Lansing, b. Nov. 28, 1835, Canada ; unm. ; held
various offices in Northfield ; res. Chicago.
Mary Ann, b. May 31, 1837, Canada; unm.; d. Dec. 18,
'1896.
William Chisholm, b. July 11, 1839, New York; d. Nov.
24. 1843, Michigan.
Julia Isabel, b. Feb. 22, 1849, Northfield, 111.; unm.; res
Chicago.
Harriet Augusta, b. Feb. 17, 1853; unm; grad. 1872
Chicago Normal School; has taught in the same school
since then, being head assistant since 1885; res. Chi-
cago.
211 David Gardner Rannev (David Stocking 5 , Hezekiah 4 , Jo-
seph 3 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Feb. 2, 1816, Boston, Mass.; m. (1)
Jan. 20, 1846, Boston, Sarah Eliza Curtis, b. Sept. 7, 1823, Bos-
ton; d. Nov. 14, 1855, Boston; dau. of Thomas D. and Eliza
Curtis; m. (2) Sarah Rebecca Peck. b. Jan. 10, 1825. Boston;
d. Dec. 26, 1904; dau. of Thomas Peck. He d. Jan. 29, 1882
He was one of the " Franklin Medal Scholars," from a fund
given by Benjamin Franklin to be used for " Medals to scholars
worthy of the Gift." Entered the employ of Little Alden & Co.
afterwards James L. Little & Co. ; became a member of the firm
who were in wholesale dry goods business, and agents for the
Pacific Mills of Lawrence. He never held any office, though
offered many positions of public trust. After a long business
career he retired to enjoy the comforts of his home and family.
Unitarian.
Children by 1st marriage:
446 David Francis, b. Apr. 13, 1817.
447 George Henry, b. Aug. 3. 1850.
Anna Eliza, b. May 6, 1854; d. unm.. Mar. 30, 1882.
Children by 2d marriage:
Frances Harris, b. Mar. 7, 1858 ; d. Feb. 15, 1861.
Alfred, b. Nov. 18, 1861; d. Sept. 12, 1879.
212 William Still well 6 Ranney (Sylvester 5 , Hezekiah 4 . Joseph 8 ,
298 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Feb. 10, 1835, Cleveland, 0.; m. I860.
Cleveland, Annette Winchester, b. Feb. 2, 1843, Madison, 0., dau.
of Philander Winchester and Elizabeth Gilman Calkins; Rep., shoe
merchant ; res. Cleveland, 0.
Ch^ld:
Fitch Winchester, b. Feb. 17, 1864; unm.; res. Cleveland.
Ohio.
213 General Abner 6 Hubbard (Esther 8 Hamlin. Lucretia 4 Ran-
ney, Daniel' 1 . Joseph". Thomas 1 ), b. Julv 19, 1792, Middletown,
Conn.; m. Mar. 30, 1814. Farlee. Vt., Elizabeth Beckwith Wood-
ward, b. Sept. 11, 1792, Conway, Mass., dau. of Isaac Woodward
and Naomi Hayden; woolen mfr. ; res. Norwich, Vt. ; Roches-
ter, N. Y., 1816-1848; Cincinnati, 0., 1842; Hartford, Conn.,
1862; afterwards, Marion, Ala.; Whig, Mem. N". Y. Gen. Assem-
bly, 1833-4 and 1847-8; Major General, 1830, in N. Y. Militia;
both Epis.; both d. Marion. Ala.; he Julv 23, 1862; she Sept. 1,
1864.
( 'hildren:
Edwin Smith, b. Jan. 30, 1815.
448 Martha Ann. b. Sept. 15, 1816.
Fidelia, b. Julv 13. 1823: d. Julv 31. 1825.
Charles H.. b.' Feb. 15, 1827; d. June 1. 1827.
Julia Elizabeth, b. Aug. 28, 1830.
213a Clarissa Gaylord 8 Ranney (William 5 , Jonathan*, Jona-
than 3 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Aug. 26, 1809, Middletown, Ct.; m.
Aug. 31, 1838, Zebulon Hale Baldwin, b. July 19, 1812, Middle-
town, carpenter and builder, who d. Mar. 5, 1873. She d.
< 'hildren:
■1 IXa. William Ranney, b. Oct. 24, 1840.
Albert Hale. h. June L3, L847; m. May 27, L868, Anna Maria
Galloway, b. Mar. lo, L850. Res. Ansonia, Ct. Chil-
dren :
\\n,. Albert.
Frank (lay hud.
214 William 6 Ranney (brother to Clarissa Gaylord), b. May
9, 1813, Middletown; m.' IS-1S, X. V. City, Margaret Agnes O'Suf-
livan, b. Jan. 7, L819, Cork, Ireland, where her father, who d.
L845, was a large ironmaster. She d. Aug. 1!>, 15)03, at the old
tead, \\e>i Eoboken, N. J. He d. Nov. 18, L857, WeBl
Hoboken, X. J.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 299
" The name given him at baptism was William Tylee, but he
never used the latter. At the age of thirteen, he was taken to
Fayetteville, N. C, by his uncle, where he was apprenticed to
a tinsmith, but seven years later he was studying drawing in
Brooklyn. When the Texan struggle began, Eanney enlisted, and
during the campaign became acquainted with many trappers and
guides of the West. Also fought through the Mexican War. After
his return home he devoted himself mainly to portraying their
life and habits. Among his works are ' Boone's First View of
Kentucky,' ' On the Wing,' ' Washington on his Mission to the
Indians/ (1847), 'Duck Shooting,' which is in the Corcoran
Gallery, Washington, ' The Sleigh Ride/ and ' The Trapper's
Last Shot.' Many of these have been engraved. He was a fre-
quent exhibitor at the National Academy, of which he was elected
an associate in 1850. (Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biog-
raphy, 1988, vol. v., p. 181.)
He has another painting in the Corcoran Gallery, and others
in prominent private galleries. " Catalogue of Mrs. Marshall 0.
Roberts' Collection," New York City : " . . . RANNEY, W.,
' The Lasso/ ' The Pioneer/ ' The Sportsmen's Halt at the Mill/
. . ." (The Art Treasures of America, being the choicest works
of art in the public and private collections of North America.
Edited by Edward Strahan, Philadelphia, George Gebbie, pub-
lisher. Copyright 1879 and 1880. Three volumes, highlv illus-
trated.)
" About this time our frontier life was coming more promi-
nently into view, and that picturesque border line between civil-
ization and barbarism was becoming a subject for the pen of our
leading writers. Irving, Cooper, Kennedy, and Street, Whittier,
and Longfellow, were tuning the first efforts of their Muse to
celebrate Indian life and border warfare in prose and verse, while
the majestic measures of Bryant's ' Prairies ' seemed a prophetic
prelude to the march of mankind toward the lands of the setting
sun. ' Evangeline/ the most splendid result of our poetic litera-
ture, attracted not less for its magnificent generalizations of the
scenes of the West than for the constancy of the heroine, and
the artistic mind responded in turn to the unknown mystery and
romance of that vast region, and gave us graphic pictures of the
rude humanity which lent interest and sentiment to its unexplored
solitudes. It is greatly to be regretted that the work of these
pioneers in Western genre was not of more artistic value; from
a historical point of view, too much importance cannot be at-
tached to the enterprise and courage of men like Call in, \)c;\>,
and Ranney, who, imbued with the spirit of adventure, identified
300 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
themselves with Indian and border life, and rescued it from
oblivion by their art enthusiasm, which, had it been guided by
previous training, would have been of even greater value. As
it is, they have with the pencil done a service for the subjects they
portrayed similar to what Bret Harte has accomplished in giving
immortality with the pen to the wild, picturesque, but evanescent,
mining scenes of the Pacific slope." (From Art in America, a
critical and historical sketch, S. G. W. Benjamin. Harper & Bros.,
1880, p. 87.)
The portrait of him driven herewith was painted by himself.
Children :
41D William, b. Mar. 27, 1850.
450 James J., b. Nov. 1, 1853.
215 James 6 Rannev (James"'. Ebenezer 4 , Ebenezer 3 , Ebenezer 1 ',
Thomas 1 ), b. Feb. 17, 1805, Upper Houses; m. Aug. 22, 1829,
Upper Eouses, Elizabeth Gridley L'Hommedieu, b. Feb. L6, L805,
Upper Houses, dan. of Joseph L'Hommedieu and Elizabeth 7 Grid-
ley (Elizabeth 6 Smith. Captain John 5 , Joseph 4 , Rev. Joseph 3 ,
Philip 2 , Samuel 1 ). His aunt, then Mrs. Margaret Rannev Keith,
attended before midnighi a1 her birth, and after midnight at Irs
birth. These babes were rocked together in the one cradle when
their mothers visited each other. They grew up together, and their
married life was passed under the roof to which he had been taken
at the age of eight years on his mother's death. Their golden wed-
ding was celebrated with much ceremony on Aug. 22, L879, under
the trees he had helped his grandfather set out in 1815. The Rev.
Edwin Hiram Ranney offered prayer, an historical address was de-
livered by his son-in-law, the Rev. Henry Stevens, pastor of the
Baptist Church, volunteered sound advice. Deacon and Mrs. John
Stevens read a poetical address. 'The golden offerings, representing
the years of their married life, included a twenty-five-cent gold
rom the Rev. E. M. Ranney. The wedding breakfast to a hun-
dred guests was in keeping with the manner to which the host
and hostess had been accustomed. The only person present at
both marriages was her cousin, [saac Gridley, of Brooklyn, NT. Y.
Mi-- Mary Ann Latimer was the only Cromwell residenl who had
witnessed their marriage.
Mr. Ranney was a merchanl tailor. At the age of seventy he
L r a\e up all business cares to enjoy tin' quiel life of the family to
which he was much devoted. Me was a gentleman of the old
school. A Lifelong Democrat, he attended one evening a private
gathering of the Know Nothings, and he never went again. It
James Ranney
Arthur R. Adams
C. S. G. Adams
C. Collard Adams
James M. Ranney
Ranney-Adams House
Mrs. James Ranney
(See page 300)
1: , Li. H. Merrell
Elizabeth V. Adams
James M. Adams
Mrs. Elizabeth G. Adams
VlBS. E] tZAJBETH (GBIDl i 5 I l.'lln\i \, ,
(See page 570)
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 301
satisfied him. He was in' perfect health till the age of eight-three,
when his health failed. Mrs. Kanney was a lady of much dignity.
His death occurred Apr. 14. 1890. The widow survived him till
May 27, 1891.
Children :
James Mortimer, b. July 10, 1831 : while a clerk in Cuyahoga
Falls, 0., and returning on a vacation he was stricken
with a fever and died unm., Aug. 28, 1853, much beloved
for his manly traits of character.
451 Elizabeth Gridley, b. Feb. 18, 1833; m. Charles Collard
Adams.
Arthur Keith, b. May 14, 1837; d. July 17, 1838.
452 Cornelia L'Hommedieu, b. Dec. 10, 1840; m. Arthur H.
Merrill.
SEVENTH GENERATION
216 Moses Hook 7 Ranney (Moses Hook 6 , Thomas Stow 5 , Jere
miah 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. June 27, 1833, Newport
Me.; m. Sept. 28, 1870, Bethel 1 1 ill. Me.. Emma E. Church, b
1849, Leeds, Quebec, dau. of William Church and Louisa Symes
He was a noted horseman in charge of Mt. Washington stages
Served in Civil War, Bapt., Rep.; d. Dec. 13. 1886; widow res
Lynn, Mass.
Children :
Katherine Glen, b. Dec. 6, 1871, in the Glen House, Mt.
Washington; m. (1) 0. B. Jones; m. (2) F. J. May-
nard ; res. Lynn, Mass. Child :
Raymond, b. .
Stephen Church Adams, b. July 19, 1876, at foot of Mt.
Adams, White Mountains; m. June 27. 1898, Avis
Jones; res. Stetson, Me. Child:
Marguerite, b. .
217 Stephen Steward 7 Rannev (brother to Moses Hook), b.
Oct. 1, 1837, Newport, Me.; m. Sept. 27, 1863, Anna Jane Nye,
b. Hallowell, Me., dau. of James Nye and Sarah Andrews; farmer.
Dem.; res. Stetson. Me.
Child:
Myrtie M., b. July 28, 1867; m. .
218 Laura Albina 7 Rannev (sister to Moses Hook), b. Mar. 1'?.
L846, Stetson, Me.; m. Oct." 27, 1870. Charles Wentworth Crock-
ett, b. Apr. 27, 1843, Stetson, Me.: merchant, Rep., A. 0. U. W.:
sin' is Univ., King's Dau.; res. Bangor, Me.
Child:
Effie II.. b. June L3, L876; anm.
".'!!» Rebecca 7 Stetson (Hannah" Ranney, Thomas-'' Stow, Jere-
miah*, Thomas 8 , Thomas 2 . Thomas 1 ), b. Sept. L3, L824, stetson.
Me.; m. Sept. 9, L859, Eenry Volnej French, b. Jan. LO, 1821,
Easton, Mass.; shoe mfr., Whig; d. Sept. 9, L859, No. Bridge-
wuter, Mass.; 3he d. Sept. 18, L899, Brockton, Mass.
309
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 303
Children :
Henry Stetson, b. Nov. 3, 1849.
Geo. Rawson, b. Feb. 13, 1853 ; d. Sept. 21, 1853.
453 Fred Eawson, b. Nov. 15, 1857.
219a George Stetson 7 Kanney (Thomas Stow , Thomas Stow 5 ,
Jeremiah 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 . Thomas 1 ), b. Feb. 29, 1840, Stet-
son, Me.; m. 1870, Lee, Me., Caroline Augusta Thompson, b.
May, 1851, Springfield, Me., dau. of John Thompson and Grace
Costello; farmer; res. Winn, Me.
Children :
Thomas Stow, b. 1871; m. Mae Coombs.
John Thompson, b. 1872; m. Kate Scott; res. Fort Kent,
Maine.
George, b. 1874; m. Margaret Lvnch; res. Lincoln, Me.
Nathan Allen, b. 1876 ; m. Grace Scott.
Mae Ellen, b. 1878; m. Harold Merithew; res. Portland.
Maine.
Stephen, b. 1886.
Harold Cleveland, b. 1888.
Emir, b. 1892.
220 Irene Stetson 7 "Ranney (sister to George Stetson), b. Mar-
13. 1856, Winn, Me. ; m. Aug. 7, 1882, Lincoln, Me., William E.
Young, b. Mar. 4, 1852. Belmont, Me. ; F. & A. M., Rep., moulder ;
res. Portland, Me.
Children :
Abbie Sampson, b. May 24, 1883.
Sarah Louisa, b. June 14, 1885.
Beulah Edwina, b. May 22. 1891.
220a Thorndike Allen 7 Ranney (brother to George Stetson),
b. Oct. 28, 1857, Winn, Me.; m. Dec. 28, 1881, Chester, Mo..
Etta May Dill, b. Aug. 9, 1857, Chester, dau. of Warren N. Dill
and Clarissa D. Ireland; F. & A. M., A. O. IT. W., Rep., farmer;
res. Winn, Me.
xnlluVPTi *
Clara Dill, b. Feb. 18, 1884; m. John P. Scott.
Susan Etta, b. Sept. 4, 1886.
Addie Ella, b. Oct. 4. 1890.
Thaddeus Thorndike, b. Nov. 1, 1895.
221 Maria Carr 7 Ranney (Nathan 8 , Nathan 5 , Jeremiah 4 ,
304 MIDDLETOWX QPPEE BOUSES
Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Nov. 14, 1838, St. Louis. Mo.;
m. Mar. 24. 1859, St. Louis, Mo., Charles Wells Hale, b. Oct. 2,
1838, St. Louis, Mo.; d. Sept. 8, 1902, Winterset, Iowa; Rep.,
bookkeeper, Epis., I. 0. 0. F., A. 0. U. W. ; widow resides Win-
terset, Iowa.
Children :
Harriet Wells, b. Mar. 24, 1860.
Amelia Eannev. b. July 1, 1861 ; m. Chas. Duncan.
Abbie Graves,'b. Au^r. 'l9. 1863: d. Nov. 30, 1866.
Nathan Eanney. b. Mar. 23, 1865.
Chas. Kearney, b. Sept. 29, 1867.
Jennie Mudgett, b. Jan. 26, 1868; m. Hugh S. Thomson.
222 Charlotte Ella 7 Eanney (sister to Maria Carr), b. Nov. 34,
is!.",. Si. Louis, Mo.: m. Apr. 19, 1866, St. Louis, Mo.. George
Johnson Cochran, b. Apr. 21, 1839, Lacon, 111.; bookkeepor Dem.,
Eep., Presby. ; res. St. Louis, Mo.
Children:
George Frederic, b. Feb. 25, 1868.
Samuel Eanney, b. June 11, 1871; d. Aug. 20, 1883.
Augustus Pomeroy, b. Apr. 24. 1874.
Ella Shackford, b*. July 11, 1881.
Julia Garniss, b. Mar. 9, 1884.
223 Julius Merritt 7 Eanney (Nathaniel Cole , Nathan 5 , Jere-
miah 4 , Thomas 3 . Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Jan. 26, 1842, Angelica,
X. Y.; m. Nov. 2, 1868, Marshalltown, la., Emma Kellv, b.
— ; d. Dec. 7, 1884, Chicago, 111. First Sergeant^ Co.
G, 44th Iowa Inf., May — Nov., 1864; Eep., Presb., merchant;
res. Chicago, 111.
Child:
Eobert D., b. Nov. 7, 1874; m. 1889, Maria Storms: mer-
chanl : res. Chicago, 111. Child:
Merritt Eanney, b. Dec. 23, 1900.
224 William 7 Davis (Martha 8 Ranney, Solomon?, Jeremiah 4 ,
Thomas'. Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Jan. 1, 181 1 ! ; m. Xancv Lvon,
b. Feb. 9, 1821.
Children :
William, b. Mar. 3, 1847; d. June 3, 1863.
Jacob, b. L856; d. Apr. 30, 1902.
Andrew, b. ; m. Minerva Vrooman.
I.M Naorv Emily, b. Oct. 6, 1849; m. S. C. Mitchell.
DESCEXDAXTS OF THOMAS l.'WXEY 305
Frances, b. May 7, 1850 ; d. May 28, 1863.
455 Martha, b. Aug. 15, 1853; m. Daniel R. Ceas.
225 Andrew Jackson 7 Davis (brother to William), b. Xov. 24,
1828; m. Frances Abigail Bacon, b. Feb. 12, 1832; she d. Mar.
16, 1905, Delphi. X. Y.; he d.
Children :
456 Ferris Edward, b. Apr. 2, 1856.
Andrew Jackson, b. Aug. 28, 1858; d. July 24, 1863.
226 Eoval 7 Eanney (Jeremiah 6 . Stephen 5 , Jeremiah 4 , Thomas 1 *,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Dec. 10, 1810. Hartwick. X. Y. ; m. Oct.
10, 1839, Troy, 111., Betsy M. Gates, b. - — ; d. Oct. 16.
1901, Little York, 111. He rem. 1831, with his parents to Cape
Girardeau, Mo.; 1848, to Mercer Co., 111.; 1851, to Little York,
111. where he d. Xov. 20, 1889.
Children :
457 Susan A., b. Oct. 4, 1840; m. Win. E. Smith.
458 Xathan Cornelius, b. July 9, 1842.
Stephen Franklin, b. July 2, 1844; d. July 4, 1844.
459 Mary Elizabeth, b. May 4, 1846 ; m. Joseph H. Gates.
460 Jeremiah, b. Aug. 28, 1848.
Eoyal Francis, b. Dec. 19, 1850; d. Dec. 29, 1850.
Joseph Asahel, b. Xov. 24, 1851.
461 Royal Gilbert, b. Sept. 1, 1854.
Infant, b. Feb. 28. 1857; d. Feb. 28, 1857.
227 Johnson 7 Eanney (brother to Eoyal), b. Jan. 15, 1814;
m. Feb. 22, 1840, Sarah Ann Knott, b. Feb. 12, 1822; d. Dec.
11, 1866, Jackson, Mo.; dau. of John Eobert Knott and Louisa
Burtles; Whig, farmer; d. Mar. 14, 1855, Jackson. Mo.
Children:
Sarah Ann Virginia, b. Feb. 15, 1842: d. Xov. -22. 1842.
Olive Branch, b. Aug. 17, 1843; d. Dec. 7, 1904; in. Wil-
liam E. McGlasson.
Julius Henry, b. Feb. 25, 1845; d. unra., -Tune 4, 1895.
Ellen Catherine, b. Sept. 22, 1846; res. Jackson, Mo.
Jeremiah, b. May 15, 1848; d. May 27, is is.
Laura Amelia, b. Apr. 24, 1850; res. Jackson, Mo.
Johnson, b. July 9, 1852; d. Sept. 24, is:,:,.
George Asahel. b. Jan. 15, 1851 : d. Apr. K>. 1855.
306 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
228 Johnson Camp 7 Ranney (Johnson , Stephen 5 , Jeremiah 4 ,
Thomas 3 , Thomas-. Thomas 1 ), b. June 15, 1836, Jackson, Mo.;
m. 1854, Jackson. Mo., Rebecca Horrel, b. Jan. 11, 1838, Jackson.
Mo.; d. Dec. 7, 1875, Jackson, Mo.; dau. of Henrv Horrel and
Mary Byrd; he d. Mar. 12, 1894, Anaparko, Okla.
Cli ildren :
Mary Amelia, b. 1860.
462 Wm. Thomas, b. 18Gi ; m. Amanda Claire, and d. June
14, 1898, in Monte Vista, Cal.
463 Johnson Camp. b. Jan. 23, 1864.
Elizabeth, b. May 1, 1866; res. Jackson, Mo.
Mary Gayle, b. Dec. 29, 1868; res. Jackson, Mo.
■164 John Gayle, b. Feb. 27, 1872.
Rebecca Bueklen, b. Dec. 7, 1875; res. Tampa, Fla.
229 Marv Gayle 7 Ranney (sister to Johnson Camp), b. Jan.
17. 1340. Jackson, Mo.; m. 1861, John Beardslee, who d. 1891;
she d. 1880.
Children :
Emma Frances, b. Jan. 12, 1862; d. Feb. 3, 1882.
465 William Rannev, b. Sept. 19, 1864.
466 Thomas Johnson, b. Oct. 17, 1866.
467 Mary Elizabeth, b. Dec. 22, 1868; m. Albert Ellis.
Eva Fisher, b. Dec. 4, 1870.
468 Esther Gauss, b. Aug. 27, 1873 ; m. Gradv Darbv.
469 John, b. Oct. 24, 1875.
470 Paul, b. Jan. 13, 1877.
Charles, b. Mar. 7, 1879.
230 Robert Giboney 7 Ranney (William Caton , Stephen 5 , Jere-
miah 4 , Thomas 3 . Thomas'-. Thomas 1 ), h. Dec. 15, L849, -lackson.
Mo.; m. (1) May 25, 1876, Elizabeth Susannah Giboney, b. Oct.
9, 1849; d. July 14, 1892; dau. of William Giboney and Su-
sannah M. Clark; m. (2) Jan. 17, 1894, Emma Agnes Wathen,
b. Nov. 1, 1861, dau. of Ignatius A. Wathen and Maria R. Ellis.
Robert Giboney Ranney for tour yens attended Kentucky Mili-
tary Institute, taught school one winter, read law with Hon. Louis
Houck, 1872, attended State Law School. Columbia, Mo.; be-
came law partner with Mr. Houck till lssi); never active in poli-
tics, hm has beeu candidate for Circuit Judge, and twice for
Judge of ('<>urt of Common Picas, coming, as a Democrat, within
thirty votes of being elected when the Republican majority m
the county was four hundred; res. Cape Girardeau, M<».
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 307
Children by 1st marriage:
Susannah Elizabeth, b. Nov. 22, 1878 ; d. July 10, 1879.
Louisa, b. June 10, 1880 ; m. Aug. 8, 1906, Clyde Harbison,
b. Feb. 14, 1882, son of Dr. Milton Clark Harbison and
Amanda Graham. Res. Los Angeles, Cal.
Lizzie Ann, b. Aug. 21. 1886; d. Feb. 28, 1888. .
Robert Clifton, b. Nov. 4, 1891,
Children by 2d marria'ge:
Wathen, b. Dec. 19, 1894.
Roberta, b. Mar. 6, 1896.
William Ellis, b. July 16, 1897; d. Jan. 23, 1899.
Ralph Guerrant, b. June 16, 1899.
Mary, b. Dec. 17. 1902.
Maud, b. Jan. 24, 1905.
231 William Alexander 7 Rannev (brother to Robert Giboney),
b. Dec. 23, 1852, Cape Girardeau, Mo.; m. Nov. 5, 1891, Cora
E. Harris, Crystal Springs, Miss. He was educated at the Normal
School, Cape Girardeau, Mo., and State University, Columbia,
Mo. ; lawyer and farmer ; res. Bairdsville, Miss.
Child:
Cora Belle, b. Mar. 3, 1893.
232 Herbert Hathorne 7 Ranney (brother to Robert Giboney),
b Nov. 14, 1855, Cape Girardeau, Mo.; m. Aug. 22, 1883, Com-
merce, Mo., Hettie Gaither. b. Aug. 22, 1859, Commerce, Mo.,
dau. of John Taylor Gaither and Columbia Daugherty ; Dem.,
Meth., railway postal clerk since July 20, 1885 ; res. Cape Girar-
deau, Mo. .
Children :
John Caton b, May 17, 1884.
Elizabeth Gibonev. b. Julv 7, 1886.
Emma Bell, b. Feb. 28, 1888.
Herbert Hathorne. b. Jan. 29, 1890.
Hettie Mabel, b. Aug. 9, 1892.
Gaither, b. Apr. 28, 1895.
James Parham, b. Feb. 4, 1899.
233 Clarissa Waters 7 Rannev (John Hathorne 8 , Stephen 1 ,
Jeremiah 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. 1850; m. Joseph
Temple Anderson, b. Apr. 27, 1840; merchant, Meth., Dem.; res.
Commerce, Mo.
308 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Children :
Joseph Reese.
John Eannev. #
Elizabeth Temple.
Virginia Amelia.
Jessie Gayle.
Ralph Frazer.
Paul Ross.
234 Amelia 7 Ranney (sister to Clarissa Waters), b. Sept. 10.
1852, Kelso, Mo. : d. Mar. 12, L899; m. Dec. 23, 1874, Reese
Gates Applegate, b. Mar. 15, 1854, Commerce, Mo., son of Stephen
Applegate and Sarah Baker; F. & A. M., Dem.. Meth., retired
merchant; res. Sikeston, Mo.
Children :
Carrie May, b. Jan. 20, 1876; d. Jan. 31, 1884.
Joseph Reese, b. May 25, 1878.
Lillian A., b. Jan. 18, 1881; m. Oct. 25. 1905. Handy L.
Smith. D. D. S. ; res. Sikeston, Mo. Child:
Handy Linn, b. Sept. 18, 1906.
Sarah Estelle, b. May 5, 1885; d. Sept. 2, 1887.
Ranney G., b. Sept. Jo, 1887.
Emma Lucille, b. Feb. 16, 1890; d. May 26, 1892.
Stephen Wallace, b. July 8, 1892.
Evelyn, b. Mar. 26, 1897; d. Oct. 27, 1897.
235 Caroline Wall 7 Ranney (sister to Clarissa Waters), b. Oct.
13, 1852, Kelso, Mo.; d. May 10, 1902; in. William Henderson
Mi Knight, b. Feb. 3, 1849, Cape Girardeau, Mo., son of William
Eenderson McKnight and Virginia Block; grain dealer. F. & A.
M., Dem., Meth.; res. Sikeston. Mo.
Children:
A i nice. b. Oct. 15, 1877; d. June 23, 1879.
James, b. Apr. 7, 1879; m. Louise Pean-i •; res. Oran, Mo.
Alma, b. Mar. 31, 1881.
John Coffman, b. Apr. 11, 1883.
Clara, b. Aug. 27, 1885.
Ruth, b. Aug. 7, 1892.
836 James Parham 7 Ranney (brother to Clarissa Waters), b.
Feb. 17. 1857, Kelso, Mo.; m. An-. 22, 1SS3. Cmiimcrco, Mo..
Emma Gaither, b. Sept. 27, 1864, Commerce, Mo., dau, of John
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS HAWKV 309
Taylor Gaither and Columbia Dougherty: fanner, Meth., Dem.,
F. & A. M., A. 0. U. W.; res. McMullen, Mo.
237 Harriet. Palmer 7 Hawes (Pollv G Ranney, Julius 5 , Jere-
miah 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. June 27, 1832; m. Oct.
11, 1855, Chester, 0., James Taylor Wilson, h. May 12, 1827,
River Styx, 0.; d. Dec. 25, 1885, Cleveland, 0.; mfr., Mayor
of Lyons, Iowa, mem. Bd. of Education, Cleveland, 0., Dem..
Knights Templar; widow res. Youngstown, 0.
Children :
471 James Preston, b. Feb. 6, 1857.
472 David Hawes, b. Dec. 6, 1859; d. N. Y. City.
473 William Eanney, b. Feb. 11, 18G3.
238 Julius Butler 7 Rannev (Oliver , Julius 5 , Jeremiah',
Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. June 5, 1831, Chesterland, 0.;
m. Oct. 31, 1872, Springfield, 111., Helen Josephine Sanders, b.
Mar. 13, 1843, Williamstown, Mass., dan. of Anthony Sanders
and Celinda Brown, who was of the 7th generation from Chad
Brown and Rev. Roger Williams of R. I. (See Chad Brown
Memorial, 1638-1888.) She was mem. Cong. Ch., and d. June
13, 1900, Chesterland, 0. Farmer and fruit grower, Rep.. F. &
A. M. Died Dec. 2, 1907.
Children :
474 Antoinette Augusta, b. Aug. 12, 1874; m. Dr. Roy C. Eddy.
Oliver Anthonv, b. Nov. 14. 1883; m. Dec. 20, 1906, Cath-
erine S. Allen, b. Oct. 29. 1887, Kirtland, 0., dan. of
Floyd C. Allen (descendant of Colonel Ethan Allen
of Rev. War fame) and A. A. Campbell. Res. Chester-
land, 0.
239 Joel 7 Rannev (William 8 , William 8 , Thomas 4 , Thomas 8 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Westminster West, Vt. ; m. -
d. 1893, Lyndon Station, Wis.
Children :
Joel, b. ; d. unm.
Henry, b. ; d. unm.
Fanny; b. ; m. B. A. Wright; res. Mt. Eden,
Cal.
Emma Jane, b. — -; m. (1) Charles E. Chamber-
lain- m (2) D. C. Bull; she res. Mt. Eden. Cal.
310 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Child:
F. H. Chamberlain; res. Sparta, Wis.
240 -Rebecca 7 Rarmev (sister to Joel), b. ; d. Apr.
30, 1894; m. Oct. 5," 1840, Jeremiah L. Perham, b. Mar. 29,
1797, Pepperill, Mass.; d. Dec. 19, 1872, Athens, Vt.
Child:
Charles J. Perham, b. — ■ — — ; res. Cambridgeport, Vt.
242 Hannah 7 Ranney (sister to Joel), b. July 18, 1830, Brook-
line, Vt. ; d. Aug. 30', 1863, Brookline; m. John Landfear, d.
May 3, 1873, Brookline ; private Co. I, 16th Reg. Ver. Inf., 1862-
1863.
Ch ildren :
Sarah, b. ; m. Svlvanus Hiscock.
Mary, b. - ; d. Feb. 25, 1889; m. E. Wright
Bush.
Fannie, b. ; m. Edward Harlow; re-. Marl-
boro, N. H.
Henry J., b. May 6, 1859; m. Minnie M. Wyman; res.
Brookline, Vt.
Martin VanBuren, b. Aug. 10, 1862; d. Feb. 17, 1876.
243 Stephen Chandler 7 Ranney (Stephen 6 , William 5 , Thomas 4 ,
Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Jan. 29, 1815, Westminster
West, Vt.; m. (1) June 26, 1849, Westminster, Vt., Fanny
Eaton Paine, b. Apr. 11, 1813, Westminster, Vt., who d. Nov.
20, 1861; m. (2) Feb. 24, 1863, Mrs. Mary I. Goodell, b.
; d. Oct. 20, 1888; rem. to Athens, Vt., 1864, Town
Treas., Mem. Leg. 1876-7, postmaster for some years, Meth.,
Rep.; in 1885 rem. to Grafton, Vt., where he died Sept. 5, 1871.
Child:
Tirzah Eaton, b. Nov. 14. 1850; m. Mar. L9, L873, William
Chamberlain Bobbins, b. Mar. L2, L851, Milfor.l, Mass.,
son of Willard E. Robbins and Maria Johnson ; clerk
in Pension Office, Washington, D. C.
■J I I Amaziah Thomas 7 Ranney (brother to Stephen Chandler),
b. Apr. 10, 1817. Westminster West, Vt. ; m. Jan. 5, 1858, Marl-
boro, Vt.. Jane Knight, farmer, d. Oct. 5, L900; widow and son
res. on the farm, Westminster West, Vt.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 311
Child:
Oscar James, b. Aug. 25, 1861; unm.; res. Westminster
West. Vt.
245 William Erastus 7 (brother to Stephen Chandler), b. Mar.
18, 1819, Westminster West, Vt.; m. (1) ; m. (2)
Roxv Sophronia Stockwell, b. Mar. 12, 1822. Dummerston Hill,
Vt. ; d. Aug. 5, 1868, Bakersfield, Cal. He res. in St. Paul, Minn.,
then in Bakersfield, Cal., where he d. Nov. 12, 1874.
Children, b. in St. Paul:
Royal John, b. Oct. 30, 1853.
Roxy Grace Ann, b. May 30, 1856; m. 1879, Jerome Troy,
b. 1846 Oskaloosa, la. ; stock raiser, Rep., I. 0. 0. F. ;
res. Raton, New Mexico.
Lydia Rosetta, b. May 27, 1858; m. Chas. Nelson Williams.
246 Otis Lorenzo 7 Ranney (brother to Stephen Chandler), b.
July 16, 1821, Westminster, Vt. ; m. Mercy Ann Gorton, b. Nov.
2, 1828, Chesterfield. Vt.; d. May 3, 1885, Grafton, Vt., dau.
of Thomas Gorton and Laura Harvev. He d. Mar. 12, 1894,
Grafton, Vt.
Children :
475 Mercy Ann, b. Sept. 13, 1851; m. — - Works. Res.
W. Northfield, Vt.
476 Ellen Francese, b. Dec. 13, 1853 ; m. Omer Sumner Stuart.
Otis Lorenzo, b. Jan. 22, 1855; m. Jan. 1, 1879, Ellen
Maria Edwards, b. Feb. 18, 1857, Athens. Vt., dan. of
Othniel Ross Edwards and Anna Maria Powers; farmer,
Rep., Bapt. ; res. Grafton, Vt. Child:
Anna Maria, b. June 26, 1882.
247 Lorin Little 7 Rannev (brother to Stephen Chandler), b.
Sept. 26, 1823, Westminster West, Vt; m. Oct. 16, 1851, Wil-
mington, Vt., Abbie Ann Wilcox, b. Sept. 16, 1827, Coventry,
Vt. ; d. Dec. 1, 1903, Brookline, Vt. ; dau. of Alanson Wilcox
and Persia Hitchcock. He was mem. of Cong. Oh. from early
manhood; rem. 1865, to Brookline, Vt., where he d. Sept. 1,
1904. The aged parents were faithfully cared for by llicir son.
Children :
Virgil Waitstill, b. Mar. 15. 185 1: m. Oct. 16, 1903, N.
Pomfret, Vt., Elizabeth L. White, b. Nov. 5, 1S68;
Town Treas, 1884; Town Clerk, 1S97: J. of P.. 1899;
Notary Public, Rep.. Meth.; res. P.rookline. Vt.
312 MIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES
Leola Sarah, b. Feb. 19, 1858; m. Oct. 24, 1883, Clarence
Warren Adams, b. Nov. 3, 1856, Newfane, Vt, son
of Marcus Warren Adams and Sarah Bellows: machin-
ist; res. Howard, P. I. Child:
Clarence Eaymond, b. Apr. 10, 1898.
248 Freeman 7 Eanney (Ephraim 6 , Ephraim 5 , Ephraim*,
Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. May 11, 1806, Westminster West.
Vt.; m. (1) Emily Flanders of Coventry, Vt., d. Apr. 27. 1866:
m. (2) June, 1871, Mrs. Elizabeth Huse. " He d. Aug. 31, 1881.
Children :
Oliver, b. •.
Alonzo Philip, b. .
P,
Wm, Bradford, b. Jan. 24, 1835; d. Feb. 12, 1892.
Eugene Oliver, b. July 16, 1840; grad. Wesleyan Uni.,
physician; res. Barton's Landing, Vt.
Henry Clay, b. ; d. Dec. 16, 1906, Brooklvn, X. V.
Ephraim Clark, 1). ; enl. 30th Mass. Vols.;
d. Baton Rouge, La.
Leavitt, b. . '
i;; Charles Freeman, b. Dec. 8, 1851.
24-9 Sullivan 7 Ranney (brother to Freeman), b. Nov. 23, 1808.
Westminster West, Vt.; m. (1) Sept. 7, 1834, Coventry, Vt.,
Phebe Higgins, b. May 30, 1811, Coventry, Vt.; d. June 11,
1852, Kirbv, Vt.; m. (2) Mar. 7, 1853, Ivirbv, Vt., Marv Huse.
b. Mar. 2, 1825, Kirby, Vt.; d. Julv 12, 1899, "Concord, Vt.; dau.
of Nathan Huse and Isabel Charlton; he d. Mar. 13, 1895. West
Concord. Vt.
Sullivan Ranney was eighteen years of age when his father died,
and lie was obliged to leave home to provide for himself. His
mother packed his belongings in a small bundle, which he carried
on a stick- over his shoulder. For four years he was in the employ
of Mr. John Bayden of Brookline, Mass.. and in after years, when
he took his cattle to a Boston market, he found a welcome in this
family, lie then went to Coventry, Vt., to provide a home for
his mother, hut removed soon after marriage to Kirhv. Vt.. where
he purchased a farm, and resided on it for thirty-five years, adding
largely to his lir-t purchase. Left a widower with lour hoys, he
married the next year a "woman of strong, beautiful character,
of good health, and greal courage. Ber ideals were high, and she
ed her trails on these adopted sons." The time- following
the war were prosperous, and Sullivan Ranney, with his large
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 313
farm and extensive pastures, shared in the prosperity, and took
his fatted cattle to market. He continued to be an extensive stock
raiser In 1869 he removed to a farm in Concord, Vt which is
now owned and conducted by his daughters, Nellie and Jennie.
Thev have L25 acres of tillage land and 400 acres of pasture.
Though not prominent in public, he was active in town, affairs.
He was a member of the Cong. Ch. at East St. Johnsbury, Vt.,
from 1852 till his death. Mar. 13, 1895. His children have
placed in this church a memorial window in memory of him and
Alary Huse, his wife. At eighty-six years of age he planned his
work and managed his own business, and until within a few weeks
of his death. " His was a grand life, the kind that makes the
world better for his having lived in it. His untiring energy, ster-
ling integrity, and genuine honesty makes his life still live on.
inspiring and ennobling the lives of those he loved, and who loved,
respected, and honored him so well." The eleven children are
alive.
Children by 1st marriage:
478 Scotto Clark, b. Feb. 19, 1837.
479 Edson Higgins, b. July 6, 1841.
' 480 Henry, b. July 4, 1843.
481 George, b. Dec. 21, 1845.
Child by 2d marriage:
482 Charles Sullivan, b. Jan. 10, 1855.
Nellie Mary, b. Jan. 2, 1857 ; unm. ; res. Concord, \ t
Jennie Phebe, b. Apr. 1, I860; unm.: res. Concord, Vt.
These two sisters conduct the great farm.
183 Nathan Huse, b. Aug. 18, 1861.
483a William Eugene, b. Feb. 24, 1863.
484 Almira Isabel, b. July 8, 1864; m. D J. Lunme.
485 Ella Luthera, b. July 11 : 1866; m. Elmer Reed.
250 Helvann^ Rannev (Calvin*, Ephraim', Ep>raimV Thomas',
Thomas 2 Thomas 1 ), b Jan. 28, 1805. Westminster West, Vt.,
m Tl) Oct 19, 1824, Geo. W. Holland of Townshend, Vt.; m.
?2) ( Se P ril, 1831, Willard Crowell, b ^V't'l Vs
17, 1874, Westminster West; farmer; she d. Sept. 11, 18 J3.
Children by tst marriage:
Jane Holland, b. Jan. L3. L827; d. Dec. 5 1875; m. James
Hazeltine; res. Waterbury, Mass. Children:
James Henry, Jane, George.
314 MIDDLETOWX EPPEK HOUSES
Children by 2d marriage:
Henry Holland Crowell, b. Dec. 18, 1834; res. Westmin-
ster West, Vt.
251 Rhoda Harlow 7 Eanney (sister to Helyann), b. Mar. 29,
1809, Westminster West, Vt.; m. Aug. 25, 1834, Benj. Clark;
b. Mar. 21, 1813, Westminster, Vt., d. Mar. 24, 1884, Kossuth Co.,
la., son of Timothy Clark; blacksmith, served in Civil War, Dem.,
Co. Supervisor; she d. Aug. 15, 1880.
Child:
486 Mary Seymour, b. Jan. 30, 1839; m. (1) George Perrv
Steele; m. (2) Oscar F. Hale.
252 Peyton 7 Eanney (Grant Willis 6 , Ephraim 5 , Ephraim 4 ,
Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Nov. 29, 1826, Westminster
West, Vt.; m. Nov. 24, 1851. Hannah Moore Hitchcock, b. Oct.
16, 1828, Westminster West, dau. of David Hitchcock and Han-
nah Owen. He d. Oct. 13, 1889, Kalamazoo. Mich., where the
widow resides.
In 1857 Mr. Eanney rem. to Kalamazoo, and taught in a writ-
ing school. In 1858 he went into the grocery business with his
brother-in-law, Wm. B. Cutting. In 1864 he went into the grain
business. He became mayor of Kalamazoo, and represented the
city in the legislature. At his funeral all business houses closed.
He was a member of K. of P., B. P. 0. E., and hon. mem. of the
Light Guard.
Ch ildren :
Homer D., b. May 16. 1853; d. Oct. 23, 1880; in. Jan. 9,
1878, Adaline Elvira Wilson; she m. (2) .
Edward H., b. Jan. 26, 1855; m. Oct. 20, 1881, Maude
Mason. Children: Von T. and Germaine O.
Marv H., b. Feb. 2, 1860; d. Oct. 10, 1870.
David II., b. Mar., 1862; d. 1863.
Flora H., b. Mav 2, 1865; d. Nov. 10, 1871.
Harry G.. b. 1868; d. 1873.
v.".:: Mary Ann 7 Ranney (sister to Peyton), b. July 2S, 1828.
Westminster West, \'t.; m. A.ug. II. L851, Westminster West,
William Brackett Cutting, b. Nov. 27, L827, Guilford, Vt.; .1.
Dec. l". L903, Dorchester, Mas<., while spending the winter with
his son William. The following is part of the obituary in the
Brattleboro paper:
" Mi-. Cutting had been for m;Mi\ years one of the most re-
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS UAXXKY 315
spected and honored citizens of the town. He was born in Green
"River, a village of Guilford, in 1827, was employed for a time
in connection' with his father's business, but in 1853 entered the
service of the Old Colony Railroad, and in 1854 went to Law-
renceville, Ind., where he was employed for several years by the
Indianapolis and Cincinnati Railroad. While there his health
failed seriously, and he resigned his position and removed to Kala-
mazoo, where he engaged in trade and other business in partner-
ship with his brother-in-law, Hon. Peyton Ranney. After a few
year's, failing health obliged him to retire and return to the East,
first making a short stay in Brattleboro, but soon removing to this
place, in 1871, where he had since continued to live, but never
with very firm health.
"He quickly became a leading citizen of the town, filling many
offices of trust and enjoying the unlimited confidence of his towns-
men. He was chosen to represent the county for a term as one
of its senators in the General Assembly of the State. Upon the
formation of Maple Grove Grange he was a charter member and
its first Master. He held some of its offices for a considerable
time, and was always deeply interested in its wed fare, as in the
social and general well-being of the community in all its interests.
Though the church was not denominationally that of his choice,
he supported it constantly, being always present, when able, at its
services with his entire family. He was for many years the leader
of the choir, and with some of his children gave to it a high charac-
ter for the choir of a country church.
" The body was brought here for burial on Monday, being met
at the church bv almost the entire membership of the Grange
and bv the citizens of the place, and followed in procession to
the eemeterv lot, where the burial service of the Grange was used
in part, and prayer was offered by the recent pastor, Rev. Henry
A. Goodhue."
Widow resides on the farm cleared by Ephraim 5 Ranney.
Children :
William Lewis, b. June 27, 1852.
Mary Ranney, b. Apr. 14, 1857; res. on the home farm.
Charles Curtis, b. Dec. 1, 1859.
Frank Henrv, b. Sept. 12, 1862.
Stella Matilda, b. Feb. 6, 1868.
Nelly Grant, b. Oct. 28. 1869.
254 Samuel 7 Rannev (Elijah 6 , Elijah 5 , Ephraim 4 , Thomas'.
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Nov. 8, 1792, Westminster West, Vt.;
316 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
m. Dec. 8, 1813, Lydia Goodhue, b. Dec. 20, 1793, Westminster
\ fc., dan. of Deacon Ebenezer Goodhue and Lydia Ranney.
Deacon Goodhue descended from William Goodhue, b. in England,
1612, came to America in 1635, and d. at Essex, Mass., 1699. Mr.
Ranney removed, 1818, to Locke, Cayuga Co., X. Y.. later to
Summer Hill. .V. V. : held offices of Supervisor, Justice of the
and other local offices, and was a prosperous farmer. Late
in life the couple made their home with their son. Elijah Craw-
ford, where he d. in 1881.
Children :
Samuel Henry, b. July 26, 1814; d. Sept. 22, 1818.
Fanny Cm,, dime. b. Mav 9, 1818; d. Dec. 12, 1830.
is; Eenry Eugene, b. Aug. 21, 1821.
Elijah Crawford, b. dune ;;. L825; d. Aug. 2, L906.
489 Ebenezer Goodhue, b. June 7, 1830.
255 Alfred 7 Ranney (brother to Samuel), b. Dec. 29, 1794,
Westminster West, \'t. : m. Dec. 28, 1820. Rhoda Goodhue, b.
Mar. 12, 1796, dau. of Deacon Ebenezer Goodhue and Lydia"
Ranney; rem. to Summer Hill. New York: he d. May 22, 1873:
she d. Mar. 9, 1876; no children.
256 Fanny 7 Ranney (sister to Samuel), b. Sept. 12, 1799, West-
minster West, Vt. ; m. Mar. 7, 1822, Deacon Edmund Hallett,
Westminster West, b. Aug. 29, 1798, Westminster West; d. Mav
25, 1876, St. Johnsbury, Vt,; son of Gideon Hallett and Lydia
Hall; farmer. Deacon Cong. Ch.; she d. Aug. 27. L871, St.
Johnsbury Centre, Vt. ; mem. Cong. Ch.
Ch ildren :
Ezra Tde. b. Aug. 14, 1823; res. St. Johnsbury, Vt.
Eenry Freeman, b. Apr. 11, 1829; d. Feb. is. 1865.
Eliza Jane, b. Mav 2, 1835; m. V. P. Townsend. Pes.
Worcester, Mass.
Alfred Ranney, b. Aug. 22, 1837; d. July L0, L896.
Phila Ann, b. July 10, 183!> ; num.; res. Worcester, Whs.
257 Russell 7 Ranney (brother to Samuel), b. Feb. 20, L802,
Westminster West, Vt.': m. Dec. 22, 1825, Westminster West, N't .
Xarcissa Sparta Warner, b. Aug. 26, 1804. Westminster West;
d. June 15, 1876, Westminster West. Vt.; dau. of Gideon War-
ner and Rebecca" Ranney. Russell Ranney rem. to Comstock,
\. Y.. L877; fanner. Firsl Selectman L839-47, Hep.. Cong. Ch.;
d. Mar. L2, L891, Comstock, X. Y.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 317
Children:
Mark, b. July 7, 1827; m. Oct., 1865, Somerville, Mass..
Martha W. Sawyer; was Supt. of Iowa State Asylum.
Mt. Pleasant, la., where he d. Jan. 31, 1882. She d.
1907, leaving $100,000 to Iowa State University.
Eugene Alfred, b. Dec. 10, 1830; d. Oct. 7, 1899.
Preston Charles, b. Apr. 15, 1835; d. Dec. 16, 1859.
490 Lvdia Rebecca, b. Dec. 27. 1842; m. Edward Luman Camp-
bell.
258 Mark 7 Ranney (brother to Samuel), b. Apr. 17, 1804,
West minster West, A r t.; m. Dec. 29, 1830, Columbia Smith, b.
Nov. 11, 1812, West Salisbury, Yt; d. Mar. 8, 1865, West
Salisbury, Vt. ; dau. of Joseph Smith and Polly Graves; farmer,
mem. Cong. Ch. ; he d. Mar. 31, 1889, Salisbury. Vt.
Child:
Albro A., b. Nov. 23, 1831; m. Ellen A. Crook, dau. of
Crawford S. Cook and Augusta C. Enos ; no children;
res. West Salisbury, Vt.
259 Lydia 7 Eanney (sister to Samuel), b. May 10, 1806, West-
minster West, Vt.; m. Apr. 5, 1837, Frederic Goodell; she d.
Apr. 12. 1873.
Children:
Frederick Homer.
George Ranney.
Lydia Elizabeth.
260 Elijah Bradford 7 Ranney (brother to Samuel), b. Aug.
4, 1808. Westminster West, Vt.'; m. June 25, 1835, Westminster
West, Elizabeth 7 Goodhue, b. Apr. 1, 1814; d. Sept. 24, 1872.
Neenah, Wis. ; dau. of Deacon Ebenezer Goodhue and Lydia 6 Ean-
ney; farmer, Rep., Cong., Colonel of Vt. Militia 1843-1848; rem.
1848, to Palmyra, Wis., later to Neenah, Wis., where he was for
thirty years mem. of Co. Supervisors; he d. Apr. 25, 1891.
Children:
491 Caroline, b. June 25, 1838; m. F. W. Wheeler.
Homer Cosmore, b. May 17. 1842; teacher for several
years; enlisted, 1862, in Co. I, 21st Reg. Wis. Vols.;
wounded at Perrysville; rem. to hospital at Lebanon.
Ky., where he d. Nov. 12, 1862.
Jane Elizabeth, b. Nov. 7, 1844; unm.; res. Neenah. Wis.
318 MIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES
261 Lvman Crawford 7 Ranney (brother to Samuel), b. Sepi. 22,
1810, Westminster West, Vt. ; m. (1) Nov. 27, 1834. Lucy Abi-
gail Miller, b. Oct. 31, 1812; d. Nov. 17, 1853; m. (2) Aug.
18, 1859, Putney, Vt., Hannah Grout, b. Mav 9, 1819, Newfane.
Yt. : d. Oct. 31, 1880. Newfane; farmer; he d. Nov. 12. 1892.
St. Johnsbury, Vt.
Children by 1st marriage:
Ellen, b. Julv 15, 1836; d. unm., Dec. 11, 1879.
492 Alfred Patterson, b. June 16, 1S3S.
John Franklin, b. Sept. 17, 1840; d. July 3, 1843.
Walter Warren, b. Dec. 18, 1843; d. July 31, 1863. Balti-
more Hospital; Serg. Co. B, 16th Vt. Vol. Sermon
preached at burial, Aug. 6, 1863, in Westminster West,
by the Rev. Alfred Steven?.
493 Mary Elizabeth, b. Feb. 16, 1846; m. Otis F. Buxton.
194 Isabella Crawford, b. Doe. 6, 1851; m. Chas. H. Stevens.
362 George 7 Ranney (brother to Samuel-), b. Feb. 7, L813,
Westminster, West, Yt.; m. Feb. 14, 1839, Westminster West,
Eliza Jane Hall, b. Mar. 21, 1818, Westminster West, dau. of
Atherton Hall and Olive Hallett, who had ten children, eighl of
whom reached maturity. This family rem. 1790, from Cape Cod.
Olive Hallett was dau. of Gideon Hallett who had thirteen chil-
dren. Mr, Ranney rem. 1841, to St. Johnsbury, Vt., where he d.
Apr. 9, 1899, having served as a deacon for many years. He was
a typical successful Vermont farmer, whose integrity was recog-
nized by all and made him a marked man in the community. The
widow res. on the farm with her daughter, Mrs. Geo. H. Morrill.
Children:
George Wallace, b. Mar. 18, 1842, d. .Ian. 9, L843.
L95 Charles Hall, b. July 22, 1844.
196 Crawford, b. Feb. 2,' 1848.
497 Olive Eliza, b. Sept. 20, 1852; m. V. A. Pierce.
498 Fremont, b. May 15, 1856.
499 Sarah Jane, b. July 6, 1858; m. G. H. Morrill.
263. Aretus 7 Ranney (Joseph , Elijah'"', Ephraim 4 , Thomas 8 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Nov. 11, L803, Westminster West, Vt.;
n,. ( 1 ) May 7, 1827, Westminster West, Hannah D. Tyler, b. Apr.
17, 1804, d. Apr. 5, 1837, Chittenden, Vt; m. (2) .lan. 2, L838,
Cleopatra dark, b. Nov. 10, 1810, Westminster West, d. Aug. l l,
1881, M;i 1 1 a. III., dau. of Capt. Terez Clark, b. 1771, d. L850, who
was son of Capt. Scotto Clark of Cape Cod and Patience Snow.
• DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 31!)
Father and son, sea captains, brought their gold in the center of
a tierce of salt. They were descended from Thomas Clark of the
Mayflower.
Mr. Eanney rem. 1834, to Chittenden, Vt., and in 1875 to Malta.
111., where he d. Dec. 23, 1891. From early life he was a mem.
of Cong. ch.
Children:
Marv Jane, b. Oct. 1, 1828; d. unm. Mar. 3, 1869.
Shailer Arnold, b. Sept. 12, 1830; d. July 14, 1831.
Caroline A., b. Oct. 10, 1832.
Ellen A., b. Sept. 15, 1834; d. Oct. 4, 1836.
500 Emma Snow, b. Mar. 10, 1840; d. ; m. Alanson
E. Puffer. Ees. Malta, 111.
501 Matilda, b. Oct. 18, 1841 ; in. Window Holmes.
Albert Brainard, b. Oct. 14, 1850 ; d. Mar. 13, 1873.
264 Philetus 7 Eanney (brother to Aretus), b. Jan. 8, 1806,
Westminster West, Vt. ; m. Sept. 25, 1834, Athens, Vt., Esther
Johnson Powers, b. Aug. 21, 1812, Athens, Vt., dau. of Nathaniel
Powers and Esther Johnson. He rem. 1842, to Palmyra, Wis., be-
fore a church or school house had been erected and built a log
house for himself and many for others. As many as 40 Indians
would come to the door at a time and ask for food. Prom, in ch.
and community. Engaged in hardware business and was tax col-
lector. Died of Asiatic cholera Sept. 5, 1854. The widow m. Apr.
25, 1856, Thomas Channel and d. July 25, 1864, of smallpox
brought by returning soldiers.
Children :
502 Priscilla Esther, b. Sept. 28, 1837 ; m. M. A. Throne.
503 Selina Eoxana, b. May 4, 1840;; m. E. J. Forester.
504 Elsie Josephine, b. Apr. 7, 1842.
265 Ira Patterson 7 Eanney (brother to Aretus), b. Oct. 3, 1810,
Westminster West, Vt. ; m. (1) Mar. 2, 1835, Mary Lucinda Farn-
ham, b. Sept. 15, 1811; d. Mar. 21, 1866; m. (2) Betsy Wood,
I). May 13, 1828, Cincinnatus, N. Y. He rem. to Summerhill, N".
Y., farmer and Free Meth., d. Feb. 14, 1848.
Children :
505 William Addison, b. Jan. 25, 1836.
506 Clifford Ira, b. May 25, 1838.
266 Rev. Timothy Emerson 7 Eanney (brother to Aretus), b. .'an.
i;. is 15, Westminster West, Vt. ; m. Apr. 28, 1844, Ashby, Mass.,
MIDDLETOWX DTPEE BOUSES
Charlotte Taylor, b. 1817, Ashby, .Mass.; d. Feb. 18, 1874, North
Troy, Vt. Rev. Timothy Emerson Eanney was educated at Phil-
- Exeter Academy, Middlebury College, and Andover Theo-
logical School. After leaving school he preached for a time at
Barnett, Vt. In 1844 he went as missionary to the Pawnee Indians
under the direction of the "A. B. C. F. M." For three years he
was in what is now Minnesota, but at that time was " Unexplored
Territory." On being recalled he returned to New England, bring-
ing with him two Indian children which had been found Bcalped
and Left to die by the wayside.
Soon after his return the " A. B. C. F. M." sent him to the
Cherokee Indians where he remained for fourteen years. With
others in the field he established a mission known as Lee's Creek,
which was in Indian Territory, about fourteen miles from Fort
Smith, and about the same distance from Van Buren, Arkansas.
While at Lee's Creek two sons were born to him. Joseph Emerson
in 1849, and Timothy Taylor in 1852.
The outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 made it necessary for
him to leave the south, as he was known to he a northern sympa-
thizer. After his return to New England he preached for a time
at Oxford, Maine. In 1864 he bought a small farm at St. Johns-
bury, Vt., but not desiring to give up the ministry he preached at
Wesl Charlestown, Vt., at Holland, Vt., and then at North Troy,
Vt., where his wife died in 1874. Then on account of failing
health retired to his St. Johnsbnrv farm, where he died Julv 30,
1884.
Children :
Jane Marian, b. Sept. 15, 1845 ; d. same day.
507 Joseph Emerson, b. May 9, 1849.
508 Timothy Taylor, b. Nov. 9, 1852.
261 Rev. Joseph Addison 7 Eanney (brother to Aretus), b. Feb.
15, 1817, Westminster West, Vt.; m. (1) Sept. 23, 1811. Adaline
lliteheoek, b. 1818, Westminster West; d. Aug. 25, L852, Belle-
ville, 111:; m. (2) Oct. 1, 1853, Wealthy Ann Hitchcock, b.
; d. Feb. 2, 1875: m. (3) May 17, 1876, Delphi, lnd..
Sophronia Freeman Matthews; m. (1) Apr. 23, 1891, Mrs. Jane
Blackburn Stewart. He d. Dec. 6, L891, Kalamazoo, Mich. The
following is gleaned from a pamphlet, "hi Memoriam."
Received into the church, March 6, L831, with 30 others; entered
Phillip- Academy, Andover, Mass., in next month: entered Mid-
dlebury College 1835; grad. L839. Owing to ill health tanght in
family <>f Captain Calhoun, nephew of the renowned John C. < al-
huiin. Preston, Miss. In May. is 1 1. Licensed to preach; officiated
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS IIANXKV 321
at two small stations; ordained May, 1842; became pastor at
Grenada, Miss.; .June. 1843, took charge at Spring Grove and Car-
linville, 111., at less than $400 salary; 1846 chaplain of Monticello
Female Seminary and pastor of the ch. Pastor, 1847, at Belle-
ville, 111. Pastor, 1854, Allegan, Mich. Pastor, 1859-1872, at
Three Rivers, Mich. On one day he received 68 into the church
and a $30,000 church was built under his administration. Eighty
members of his congregation enlisted in the army. In 1864 he
and his wife served six weeks for the Christian Commission. In
18 73 financial agent of the new Michigan Female Seminary, Kala-
mazoo, Mich., modeled after Mt. Holvoke Seminary. Trustee 1868
to his death. Pastor. 1873-78, at Delphi, Indiana. Retired 1878
from active pastorate and settled in Kalamazoo. In 36 years of
pastoral labor had preached 3304 sermons in 16 States, and had
received 469 persons into the church on profession and 309 by
letter; had baptized 154 adults and 127 infants. After 25 years
of ministerial labors he wrote : " Whatever ambition I had in early
years for high position, as pastor and preacher, it is plain that I
can expect now to reach no very great eminence. I hope to con-
tinue on and make progress, but I know there is nothing in me
that is destined to attract the wonder and admiration of the world.
From my first enlistment I cannot remember that I ever wavered
in my purpose; my heart was fixed on the great calling."
Sometimes Mr. Ranney was Commissioner of his Presbytery to
the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church; permanent clerk
of the Synod of Michigan, 1862-66 ; moderator 1863 ; Stated clerk
of the Presbytery of Kalamazoo 13 years; Republican and lifelong
enemy of slavery. He and his wife were on a train overtaken by
the flood at Conemaugh, Pa., and his wife's body was recovered
after three months. He received the degree of D. D. from Middle-
bury College. The author of his "In Memoriam" in closing
wrote: "The supreme heroic moment was when, amid the dash of
floods, and crash of debris at Conemaugh, desolated of his heart's
treasure, in the imminent presence of an awful death, he stood
unappalled, resigned, triumphant, comforting his affrighted com-
panions in peril with the testimony of a sublime faith; 'God is
our Refuge and Strength, a very present help in trouble. There-
fore will we not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the
mountains be carried into the midst of the seas; though the waters
thereof roar and be troubled; though the mountains shake with
the swelling thereof.' "
( 'hildren by tst marriage:
Timothy Addison, b. Dec' 1842: d. Mar. 7, 1843.
322 MIDDLBTOWN UPPER HOUSES
509 Albert Barnes, b. Oct. 31, 1844.
510 Joseph Addison, b. Oct. 12, 1847.
Julia Sturtevant, b. Dec. 13, 1850 ; d. Nov. 14, 1851.
268 Joel Arnold 7 Eannev (brother to Aretus), b. Dec. 9, 1824,
Westminster West, Vt. : m. May 9, 1850, Putney, Vt., Nancy Hub-
bard Taft, b. Oct. 21, 1830, Putney, Vt., dau. of Preston Willard
Taft and Nancy Hubbard. Farmer; Rep.; Cong. d. Dec. 30, 1869.
Widow res. at 82 Alexander St., Springfield, Mass.
Children :
Charles Herbert, b. Aug. 30, 1853; m. Feb. 3, 1891, TIattie
M. Bailey. Res. Saxton's River, Vt.
511 Joseph Preston, b. July 8, 1855.
512 Mary Alice, b. Mar. 28, 1858; m. Wm. H. Dickinson.
513 George Arthur, b. July 7, 1861.
Clarice Priscilla, b. Nov. 24, 1864 ; d. unm. Oct 10, 1883.
269 Rollin Wallace 7 Ranney (brother to Aretus), b. Nov. 29,
1826, Westminster West, Vt. ; in. Nov. 22, 1866, Fitchburg, Mass.,
Asenath Melvina Caswell, b. Feb. 2, 1839, Fitchburg, Mass., dau.
of Stephen Caswell and Laura Patch Farwell. Farmer; Cong. <l.
Apr. 18, 1889. Widow res. Westminster, Vt.
Children:
Wallace Farwell, b. Apr. 16, 1874, unm.
Laura Dell, b. Sept. 7, 1876, unm.
Rollin Hayes, b. Feb. 9, 1878, unm.
270 Henry Porteus 7 Ranney (brother to Aretus), b. Jan. 30,
1829, Westminster West, Vt., on the farm cleared by Elijah 5 , and
now residing on the same; m. her-. ;. L853, Westminster West, Fran-
ces Augusta Hamblen, b. Aug. 20, 1833, Westminster, d. Nov. 19.
L903, dau. of Benjamin Watson Hamblen and Matilda Wvman.
Educated at Chester Academy; fanner, Hep., Cong.; I'. 0. Putney,
VI.
Child:
Delia Rebecca, b. Dec. 21, 1854 : m. Apr. L0, L895, A. Stevens
Hall, b. Apr. 14, 1850, Westminster West, Vt., son of
IMward Hall and Prances A. Tuttle. Grad. Dartmouth
I allege, 1873; Boston Law Uni. L875; mem. Leg. of
Mass.. L 9 04 ; lawyer, Rep., Cong.; res. Winchester, Mass.
271 Roswell 7 Ranney (Daniel''. Daniel''. Ephraim*, Thomas',
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANM-IY 323
Thomas-, Thomas 1 ), b. Sept. 17, 1804; m. Nov. 7, 1830, Stock-
bridge, Vt, Eebecca Whitcomb, b. June 15, 1808, d. Feb. 18, 1880.
He d. Mar. 1, 1894.
Children :
Daniel W., b. Apr. 27, 1832; d. Feb. 3, 1904; m. May 10,
1854, Eleanor Rogers, b. Feb. 18, 1830. She is widow
and res. Pittsfield, Vt. Child:
Maud, b. 18T3; d. 1903; m. Frank Mavnard. Child:
Balph Maynard. Ees. Pittsfield, Vt.
514 Sallie Avery, b. Oct. 20, 1834; m. Feb. 28, 1850, Jasper
Pinney.
514a Darius EoswelL b. Apr. 16, 1838, Pittsfield, Vt; d. Mar.
21, 1868; m. Sept. 6, 1862, Agnes Laura Holt, b. Dec.
2T, 1844. Child:
May Inez, b. Nov. 14, 1864; m. June 30, 1880, William
Miller Stiles, b. Sept. 26, 1859, Montgomery Center,
Vt. Ees. Flushing, N. Y. Child:
Howard Eufus, b. Sept. 13, 1887.
514b Moses F., b. Apr. 10, 1843; d. June 10, 1804; m. Asenath
Chandler; she d. . Child:
Clarence M., b. ; d. .
272 Daniel Holland 7 Eanney (brother to Boswell), b. Sept. 26,
1808, Stockbridge, Vt.; m. Nov. 21, 1833, Stockbridge, Fidelia
Hunt Sawyer, b. Feb. 6, 1814; d. Mar. 26, 1894, Koshkonong,
Wis., dau. of Isaac Sawyer and Charlotte Hunt. Bern., 1838, to
Norfolk, N. Y. ; 1852 to Elkhorn, Wis. ; 1867 to Koshkonong, Wis.,
where he d. Mar. 15, 1895. Eep.; Meth. ; Farmer. A man of
strong mind and of superior ability. A child writes : " It was
characteristic of my father to espouse a cause he thought to be
right, whatever the opposition." Mrs. Eanney was the grand-
daughter of a Eev. patriot.
Children :
Norman, b. Julv 8, 1835 ; d. Jan. 3, 1836.
515 Emeline Amelia, b. May 13, 1837; m. S. S. Steele.
516 Justina Belcher, b. Apr. 17, 1840; m. Eev. Goo. Eichardson.
Moses, b. Apr. 9, 1843; killed June 15, 1803, Port Hudson,
Miss., Serg. Co. A, 4th Wis. Vols.
Permelia, b. Apr. 30, 1848; d. Aug. 10, 1850.
517 Nellie, b. June 25, 1851; m. W. H. Bridges.
518 Levi Marble, b. Feb. 20, 1855.
273 Silas 7 Eanney (brother to Boswell), b. Feb. 21, is 10, Stock-
bridge, Vt.; m. Sept. 26, 1833, Stockbridge, Vt., Martha Sawyer,
324 MIDDEETOWX UPPER HOUSES
b. Apr. 23, 1810, Alstead, X. H. ; d. Feb. 15, 1899, Elkborn, Wis.,
dau. of John Sawyer. Farmer; Rep.; Meth.; Rem. 185G, to Wis.;
1869 to Iowa, d. Nov. 20, 1893, New Hartford, la.
Children :
Martha Cornelia, b. Feb. 23, 1855; m. N. H. McCollum.
519 Amelia Eucinda, b. Mar. 19, 1837; m. Jonathan Allen.
Sabra Elizabeth, b. Dec. 7, 1840; m. Stewart D. Ellsworth.
520 Fayette Silas, b. Feb. 28, 1844.
521 Martha Vandora, b. Feb. 26, 1846; m. Thos. J. Pollock.
522 Daniel Leroy, b. Aug. 15, 1S49.
•V.':: Wallace Austin, b. Aug. 4, 1853.
274 Reuben 7 Ranney (brother to Eoswcll), b. Oct. 31, 1811.
Stockbridge, Vt. ; m. Jan. 13, 1830, Pittsfield, Vt, Eucia Rockwell.
b. July 31, 1811, Salisbury, Vt., dau. of Dea. Eleazor Bingham
Rockwell and Abigail Stoughton. Farmer, Meth., rem. 1858, to
Elkhorn, Wis., where he d. Jan. 16, 1882. She d. Feb. 22, 1889.
Children :
524 Geraldine Calista, b. Nov. 25, 1836: m. J. X. Short.
524a Lucia Ann, b. Sept. 26, 1840 ; m. I. A. Travis. ■
525 Milo Bingham, b. Sept. 8, 1850.
526 Reuben Waldo, b. May 14, 1855.
275 Martha Gile 7 Eanney (sister to Roswell), b. Aug. 25, 1816,
Stockbridge, Vt. ; m. Oct. 9, 1837, Pittsfield, Vt., Africa Davis, b.
Nov. 19, 1805; She d. May 19, 1849.
Children:
Mintha S., b. July 24, 1839.
Martha Holland, b. Dec. 31, 1841; d. Feb. 25, 1858.
Matilda A., b. Apr. 4, 1843.
Jonathan A., b. Aug. 10, 1845; d. Aug. 18, 1847.
Ranney, b. Nov. 3, 1847.
276 Lucinda Holland 7 Ranney (sister to Roswell), b. Feb. L9,
1819, Stockbridge, Vt. ; m. Mar. 17, 1839, Pittsfield, Vt., Charles
A. Thomas, b. May 14, 1815. She d. Aug. 9, 1858.
Children :
Marthaett, b. Jul} 22, L841.
Zilpah A., b. Oct. L5, L843.
Carlie I''., b. Aug. 2, 1846.
Charles A.. I,. Jan. I. L856; d. Aug. :, L856.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 325
277 Jonathan Holland 7 Ranney (brother to Roswell), b. June
2, 1822, Stockbridge, Vt. ; m. Nov. 8, 1845. Pittsfield, Vt., Lucy
Jane Guernsey, b. Dec. 20, 1822, Westminster, Vt. ; d. July 28,
1903, Newton, N. H., dau. of Reuben Guernsey and Achsah Smith.
The farm cleared by Daniel 5 Ranney was given to him by the will
of the widow of Dr. Moses Harris Ranney. He was farmer. Mem.
Leg. in 1872; F. A. M. Died June 22, 1897, Pittsfield, Vt.
Children :
Aldula Achsah, b. Dec. 27, 1847 ; d. Sept. 24, 1861.
527 Harris Guernsey, b. Nov. 30, 1850.
528 Harley Austin, b. Sept. 22, 1857.
Zilpah Elizabeth, b. June 15, 1863; m. Dr. Axtell. Res.
Newton, N. H.
530 Fred Lincoln, b. May 8, 1865.
278 Joel 7 Ranney (brother to Roswell), b. June 4, 1825; m.
Sarah (Rogers) Ranney, b. Oct. 23, 1823, Norfolk, N. Y., d. Apr.
29, 1897, Pittsfield, Vt., dau. of William Rogers and
MacCraight, and widow of Moses Ranney, bro. of her 2d husband,
who d. Jan 25, 1875. Was a farmer and mill owner.
Children :
Julius M., b. 1848; m. — . Res. Woonsocket, R. I.
Lurella, b. 1854; d. 1866.
Archibald Joel, b. 1868 ; grad. 1894, Dartmouth Med. Coll.,
Supt. of Lakeside Hospital, Cleveland, O.
279 Moses Harris 7 Ranney (Moses 6 , Daniel 5 , Ephraim 4 ,
Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Aug. 14, 1814; m. Jan. 2, 1837,
Harriet Bucklin Barrows, b. Feb. 21, 1818; d. Sept. 3, 1901, Bris-
tol, Vt. She long survived her husband ami made many benefac-
tions to the Episcopal Church of St. Edward the Martyr in New
York city. Their three children, all unmarried, preceded her to the
grave. The following is from the History of Salisbury, Vt., by
John M. Weeks, 1860 :
"Moses Harris Ranney, M. D., was born Aug. 16, 1814, at South
Hill in tthe Town of Stockbridge, Vt. His early Life was passed
entirely at school until the age of fifteen years when he commenced
the study of medicine with Dr. Daniel Huntington of Rochester,
Vt. Having completed the usual term of study and attended four
courses of medical lectures, he graduated at the age of nineteen
at the Berkshire Medical College, Pittsfield, Mass. (1838). He
326 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
remained in his native town one year and then commenced the
practice of his profession in Salishury, Vt., where he resided eleven
years. In 1837 he was married to the daughter of Aaron Barrows,
Esq., one of our oldest and most respected citizens. During his
residence here he was favored with an extensive and lucrative prac-
tice for a country practitioner and was fast arriving at eminence
both in the skill and learning of his profession. But wishing to
perfect his knowledge by a personal observation of the nature and
treatment of a greater variety of diseases than were here brought
to his notice, he went to New York City and commenced a course
of critical observations in Bellevue, one of the hospitals of that
city, which resulted in a short time in his appointment to the office
of assistant physician in Bellevue Hospital. He had been in this
office but a short time when he was made physician in chief of the
New York City Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell's Island, which posi-
tion he held to the time of his death, being a period of over
eighteen years. Dr. Eanney took a high rank in his profession and
received many honors both of a scientific and literary character.
He was a member of the Pathological Society and a Fellow of the
Xew York Academy of Medicine. His important and honorable
position and the influence he exerted among others of the same
vocation are sufficient evidence of his professional merit."
He was connected with Calvary Epis. ch. and was buried from it.
Children :
Julius Harris, b. Dec. 7, 1837; d. Mar. 24, 1869.
Harriet, b. Feb. 10, 1840; d. Oct. 1, 1841.
Moses Willard, b. Mar. 8, 1845; d. July 12, 1882.
280 Sarah 7 Holland (Mary Ranney 6 , Daniel 5 , Ephraim 4 ,
Thomas''. Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. July 27, 1822, Stockbridge, Vt.,
m. Dec. 1, 1841, Stockbridge, Vt. ; Nathan Davis. 1.. May 5, 1818,
Stockbridge, Yi.: <!. Mav 16, 1902, Stockbridge, Vt. He was a
farmer, Pep., and Meth. She died Dec. 25, 1899, Stockbridge, Vt.
His pastor wrote as follows: "For nearly four years the aged
father had made his home with the elder son, where the mosl loving
care had been bestowed upon him by the son ami the -mi's wife
through the long years of helplessness. There are five grandchil-
dren ami three great-grandchildren, no deaths having yel occurred
among his descendants.
'■ Mr. Davis was interested in all thai pertained to the progress
of tin' community, including its religious life, in which he was a
prominenl figure, having been largely instrumental in rebuilding
the Stony Brook church, and basing done his full share in the
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY
building of the Methodist church in Gaysville. For a very long
period he filled the responsible office of recording steward.
" ' He was one of our best men/ said one who had known him
50 years, and this seems to be the general verdict."
Children :
Francis N., b. June 7, 1844. Ees. Stockbridge. Vt.
Melvin H., b. Apr. 25, 1858.
281 Lucy 7 Holland (sister to Sarah), b. Julv 3, 1825, Stock-
bridge. Vt.; m. Oct. 22, 1844, Stockbridge, Vt. Charles Luther,
b. June 30, 1819, Pittsford, Vt. ; d. Dec. 31, 1890, Wilmington,
111. Eem. 1849 to 111. The widow resides in Wilmington, 111.
Children :
-lames Julius, b. Julv 7, 1846; d. May 22, 1886.
Charles Weslev, b. Dec. 9, 1848 ; d. Sept. 2, 1855.
531 Frederick Augustus, b. Mar. 28, 1855.
282 Jonathan J. 7 Holland (brother to Sarah), b. Nov. 2;. L829,
Woodstock, Vt.; m. Oct. 20, 1853. Stockbridge. Abigail 9 Wilcox
( Israel Bronson 8 , Amos Bronson 7 , Israel 8 , Israel 5 , Israel*, Israel 3 ,
John 2 , John 1 ), b. Sept. IT, 1833, Stockbridge, Vt; d. Sept. 15.
1897, Chicago, 111. He rem. 1855 to Chicago, where he was on the
Police force for 14 years, guarding the Prince of Wales, now King
Edward VII., when there. Foreman of Brink's Chicago Express
Co., for 20 years. On his wife's death he rem. to New Hartford.
la., where he resides with his only daughter. Mayor in 1901.
Children:
Mary Adelaide, b. 1856: d. 185;. ■
Alice, b. 1860: m. Sept. 29, 1881, Alfred E. Bouquin. Ees.
New Hartford, la. Child:
Lulu Holland, b. May 13, 1883; instructor in music at
State Normal School. Cedar Falls. la.
282a Fedelia 7 Holland (sister to Sarah), b. June 15. 1834,
Stockbridge. Vt.; d. Jan. 1. 1875. Chicago; m. Jan. 20. 1853,
Washington Perrv Brink, b. Oct. 22, 1830, West Eochestor. Vt. ;
d. July "23, 1874, Chicago. Founder of Brink's Express Co.
Children :
Arthur P., b. Nov. 11, 1855; m. Jan. 6, 1876, Chicago, Nina
M. Header, b. June 11, 1857, Plattsburg, \\ V. Res.
Chicago, 111. Children:
328 MIDDLETCHYX 11' PER HOUSES
Cora Pedelia, b. Oct. 24, 1876; m.* June 1, 1904, Win. S.
Tyson.
Percival Arthur, b. May 5, 1878; m. June 1-4, 1899, Mary
A. Koehler. Children:
Marjorie, b. Nov. 7, 1901.
Lawrence K., b. Sept. 18, 1903.
Dorothy Adelaide, b. Mar. 24, 1907.
Lucy Fedelia, 1». Sept. 15, 1857; m. Jan. 6, 1876, Martin
Cyrus Meader, b. June 29, 1854; d. Nov. 5. 1899.
< 'hildren :
Prank Robert, b. Nov. 10. 1878, Chicago; m. Juno 5,
1901. Chicago, Blanch Mandel, b. Mar. 21, 1881.
Child:
Virginia, b. Mar. 5, 1904.
Edna May, b. Feb. 24. 1882.
Roy Cyrus, b. Oct. 20. 1884.
283 Esther Jane 7 Ranney (Joel 6 , Daniel 5 , EphrainP, Thomas 3 ,
Thomas 2 . Thomas 1 ), b. July 28, 1829, Stockbridge, Yt. : d. Mar.
7. 1890; m. Mar. 27, 1855, Metamora, 111., Alvan Packard, b. Sept.
19, 1821, Millbury, Mass. Civil Eng. ; farmer; orange grower;
res. Riverside, Cal.
ill 1 1 fl VPYI '
Itonora Rebecca, b. Mar. L7, 1856: d. Mar. 7, 1873.
Charles Alvan, b. Oct. 2, 1857; d. Oct. 21, 1857.
Almira Elizabeth, b. Nov. 21, 1859; d. Aug. 17, 1885.
Luella Martha, b. Sept. 20, 1861; d. Sept. 15, 1885: m. W.
E. Neighberger.
Joel Ranney, b. Sept. 22, L863; d. Sept. 23, 1863.
Joel Alden. b. June 6, 1865; m. Dec. 25, L895, Riverside, Cal.,
Carrie Nicholson, b. Nov. 9, 1873, Detroit, Mich., dau.
of Richardson Nicholson and Louise Dumont. Orange
grower. Res. Riverside, Cal. Child:
Jane Louise, b. Sept. 29, 1906.
Edith Jane. 1>. July 27, 1867; d. Apr. 5, 1880.
Edwin May Stanton, b. Nov. 22, 1869; d. Sept. 29, 1898;
m. July 7, 1892, Mamie Furman. Widow reside- at
Highgrove, Calif. Children:
Alvan Furman, b. Sept. 3, 1893.
Edwin Stanton, b. Nov. 7, 1894.
Theodore, b. Nov. 25, 1895.
284 Joel Alden 1 Ranney (sister to EstheT .lane), b. Oct. 18,
L831, Stockbridge, Yt.; m. s,.pt. i. L856, Metamora, 111.. Prances
DESCEXDAXTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 329
L. Everett, dau. of Dea. Willard Everett of Francestown, X. H.,
who rem. 1843, to Metamora. Mr. Ranney was a boy of seven when
he landed in the new West, and only seventeen and the only son
when his father died. Making a living sixty years ago in a new
country meant hard work and exposure. Church, temperance and
educational interests with political work gave him plenty to do.
He has been Pres. of Co. Fair Assn., mem. of Co. Supervisors, pro-
moter of railroads, and now at the age of seventy-six is township
chairman of the Rep. Co. Com. Was mem. of Leg. 1876 and 1878.
A "pen portrait" of that time said:
" About midway down the aisle on the Republican side of the
House of Representatives of the 30th General Assembly sits the
subject of this ' Pen Portrait ' the Hon. J. A. Ranney. He is a
mild mannered, pleasant, affable gentleman of medium height,
slender build, dark hair rapidly turning grey, and full dark whis-
kers. He is a good, logical, earnest, sincere speaker and com-
mands the attention of both sides of the house when he takes the
floor. He is very industrious and attentive to his legislative duties.
He is 'also an able, dignified, comprehensive and conscientious legis-
lator. He is the father of one of the most important bills intro-
duced this session, viz. : concerning frauds in Public Improve-
ments." Residence, Cazenovia, 111.
Children:
532 Frances Lilla, b. Oct. 23, 1859; m. Dr. W. A. Mansfield.
533 Mark Joel, b. Feb. 23, 1867.
531 Justin Morse, b. June 29, 1876.
Milo Miles, b. May 12, 1882; grad. 1903, Brown's Business
Coll., Peoria, 1902; Knox Coll., Galesburg, 111.; mem-
ber Cong, church; member M. W. of A. Res. Cazenovia,
111.
285 Evander Willard 7 Ranney (Waitstill Randolph 6 , Waitstill 5 .
Ephraim 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Xov. 1, 1811, West
Townshend, Vt. ; m. (1) Sept. 13, 1836, Grafton, Vt., Chastina
Burwell, b. Sept. 8, 1811; d. Dec. 12, 1840, Westport, X. Y. ; m.
(2) June 21, 1842, Keesville, X. Y., Lorraine Hitchcock Fisk, b.
1817; d. Feb. 5, 1856, dau. of Hon. Josiah Fisk; m. (3) Dec. -9,
1857, Brooklyn, X. Y., Ann Curtis Qua, b. Aug. 15, 1824; m. (4)
Apr. 24, 1834, X. Y. city, Olivia Scott, b. June 5, 1835. He was
a physician in X. Y. City, and died there.
Chilil mi :
Evander Burwell, b. Oct. ".. L838; d. dune 4, L839.
330 MIDDLETOWN UPPEE HOUSES
Mary Louisa Qua, b. Jan. 13, 1849.
Jane Clark Qua. b. Jan. 6, 1853.
Annie Lorraine, b. Sept. 18, 1859 ; d. June 18, 1860.
Addie Marie, b. Nov. 16, 1860.
286 Rev. Darwin Harlow 7 Eanney (brother to Evander Wil-
lard), b. Dec. 13, 1812, Chester, Vt. ; m. Jan. 22, 1837. Westport.
N. Y., Sybil Hale McKinney, b. Apr. 14, 1811, Westport; d. July,
1891, Swampscott, Mass. The Rev. Mr. Eanney prepared for pub-
lication the " Eeunion of 1866" and " Eeminiscences " of his
father. He prepared in Chester Academy for Middlebury College,
where he grad. in 1835. Teacher, 1835-1837, in Westport, N. Y.,
and Ludlow, Vt. Pastor, 1837-1839, Baptist eh. Claremont, N.
FL; 1844-49, Dover, N. H. ; later in Wilmington, Vt, Greenfield
and Bernardston, Mass. Eepresented Brattleboro, Vt. in the Legis-
lature two years. Died Sept. 27, 1870, Brattleboro. Vt.
Children:
535 Elizabeth Sybil, b. Dec. 3, 1837; m. Dr. J. H. Eichardson.
Henrv Foster, b. Jan. 30, 1840; m. 1872, Louisa Fairman.
Grad. Yale. Lawyer, d. 1873, N. Y. oil v.
Edward Norris, b. July 3, 1841 ; m. 1871, Emma Nave. Dry
goods merchant, d. Apr. 30, 1895, Boston. Children:
Abram Nave, b. June, 1872.
Mary.
Lucy.
536 Darwin Evander, b. Sept. 27, 1844.
287 Stella Laurenza 7 Eanney (sister to Evander Willard), b.
July 4, 1814, West Townshend, Vt. ; m. Dec. 9, 1834, Sharon
Gray, b. Aug. 30, 1801, farmer, who d. May 10, 1882, Townshend,
Vt. She was a Baptist and d. Apr. 3, 1878.
Children :
Frances Aurilla, b. Apr. 6, 1836.
Charles Sharon, b. May 28, 1839.
'»•;: Eliza Jane, b. Aug. 20, 1842; m. John Glover Broughton.
James, b. June 8, 1852 ; unm. Ees. Morris Plains, N. Jersey.
288 Alfred Atwood 7 Eannev (brother to Evander Willard), b.
June 24, 1816, Wardsboro, Vt. ; m. Nov. 7, 1837, Chittenden. Vt.,
N.hicv Columbia Manley, b. Apr. 22, 1816, Chittenden, Vt.; d.
Juno, 1SS2, Kccne, X. II.. dau. of ('apt. William Manley. Ee
occupied the paternal homestead for many years, relieving his
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 331
father whose attention was given to a circuit practice of medicine,
while his ambition was to follow his brother to college. 11cm. 1865,
from home to So. Dover, N. Y., and in 1875 to N. Y. city where he
held an important position in the city government. He d. Nov.,
1881, while visiting a daughter in Colorado.
Children :
538 Victoria Jeannette, b. Nov. 26, 1839; m. Lyman Bunnell.
539 Stella Eliza, b. May 8, 1811 ; m. Rev. J. A. Leach.
510 Martha Columbia, b. Sept. 13, 1812 ; m. Russell Fisk.
511 Pheb'e Atwood, b. June 14, 1815; m. Theo. Buckingham.
289 Henry Davis 7 Ranney (brother to Evander Willard) b.
Oct. 31, 1817, West Townshend, Vt.; m. May 26, 1841, Claremont,
N. H., Olive Lucinda Billings. He was a physician in N. Y. city.
Children:
George Henry, b. Sept. 8, 1842 ; d. Sept. 20, 1842.
John Waitstill, b. Nov. 26, 1850 ; d. May 5, 1854. He had
an imperfect physical development but an acute brain.
He had a great passion for books. The alphabet was
learned before he was weaned and at three years of age
he could repeat twenty pages of prose and poetry after
hearing them read to him. His last words were:
" Mama, don't cry."
290 Lafayette 7 Ranney (brother to Evander Willard), b. Aug.
16, 1819, West Townshend, Vt. ; m. (1) Feb. 26, 1846, Shafts-
bury, Vt., Adaline Eliza Loomis, b. Nov. 28, 1823 ; d. Jan. 4, 1865,
N. Y. city.; m. (2) May 4, 1867, N. Y. city, Kate Bradstreet.
Dr. Ranney was educated at Townshend Academy and grad. at
Dartmouth Coll. He taught in the Chester Academy, began his
medical practice in Hardwick, Mass. Rem. 1849, to N. Y. city,
where for sixteen years he was Surgeon-in-Chief of Police Force,
and a prominent member of the Bd. of Edu. ; F. '& A. M. ; Republi-
can ; Dea. of " Tabernacle " Cong. ch. Very eminent in his pro-
fession. He d. Feb. 15, 1883.
Children In/ 1st marriage:
Julia Eliza, b. Aug. 20, i847; d. Jan. 15, 1850.
542 Ambrose Loomis, b. Jan. 10, 1849.
Frederick Alfred, b. Mar. 23, 1853 ; d. July 1, 1855.
Charles Henry, b. Jan. 15, 1856; d. Jan. 6, 1896. Merchant
in Philadelphia.
Walter Lafayette, b. Sept. 9, 1859; d. unrn. Aug. 17, 1888.
332 MIDDLETOWX OTPER HOUSES
( 'hild -I"/ 2d marriage:
Francis Perego, b. May 2, 1868; m. (1) Natalie Henning;
m. (2) Mary Clark. Res. X. Y. City.
291 Ambrose Arnold 7 Ranney (brother to Evander Willard),
b. Apr. 16, 1821, West Townshend, Vt.; m. Dec. 4, 1850. Ca-
vendish, Vi.. Maria Dorothy Fletcher, b. Apr. 12, 1823, Cavei
Vt.; d. Sept. 26, 1892; dau. of Addison Fletcher and Maria
Ingalls. He was a Unitarian. His death occurred in Boston,
Mar. 5, 1899. His Arnold name was from Seth Arnold, the Rev.
patriot of Haddam, Ct., who m. Esther 5 Ranney, sister to his
grandfather, Waitstill 6 Ranney.
Ambrose Arnold Ranney remained on the farm till he had
prepared al the Townshend Academy when he entered, 1840, Dart-
mouth Coll., from which he grad., 181 I, with high honors. Be-
came principal of the Chester Academy. In 1846 entered the
law office oi Eon. Andrew Tracy of Woodstock, Vt. ; adm. 1847,
to the bar.; rem. 1848, to Boston; taught a while in the Brim-
mer School and then opened a law office. In 1852 he became
associated with Nathan Morse. In L855-56 was city solicitor;
elected, 1857, by the Whigs to the legislature, and 1863 and 1864
l>\ i he Republicans. In 1880 he was elected to Congress, and
served in the 47th, 48th, and 49th Congresses. For two terms
lie was a member of the Committee on Elections, which investi-
gated frauds in elections, and here he rendered valuable service
in the interest of fair elections and the integrity of the ballot
box, dealing, as was his wont at the bar, heavy Mows in condemna-
tion of dishonorable practices. In the 49th Congress he served
on the Judiciary Committee, which investigated the Pan-Electric
scheme, involving the reputation of high public officials. His
absorbing aim. however, was in the profession of the law, in which
lie had achieved eminence before going to Congress, lie had the
respect of both parties, and impressed the public generally by
his manly bearing, his fidelity to duty, ami his ability as a lawyer
and legislator.
Children:
Maria Fletcher, b. Sept. s, L853; num.; res. 72 Bay stale
Road, Boston.
Eelen Mary, b. dune 28, L855; mini.: res. 72 Bay State
Road, Boston. Mis-.
543 Fletcher, b. Sept. 2, 1860.
Alice, 1). Sept. ."><>, L862; m. Thomas Allen, artist; res.
12 Commonwealth Ave., Boston.
Ada. b. Apr. l<), L866; d. May l 1. L866.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 333
292 Stephen Eleazar 7 Ranney (brother to Evander Willard),
b. Sept. 17, 1822, West Townshend, Vt.; m. (1) Aug. 26, L846.
Grafton, Vt., Mary Dean, b. June 12, 1824, Grafton; d. Nov. 1,
1856, No. Bennington, Vt. ; dau. of Peter Worden Dean and
Philenda Willey; m. (2) Apr. 16, 1858, No. Bennington. \ t.,
Susan Watson, b. July 25, 1829; d. Sept. 29, 1902; dan. of Wil-
liam J. Watson and Selina Slye. He was a physician, practicing
in Grafton and Hartford, Vt., and after 1852 at No. Bennington,
where he d. Mar. 1, 1899. He was a Rep., Unitarian, and for
years Town Supt. of Schools.
Children by Ixl marriage:
Mary Frances, b. Sept. 1, 1849 ; unm., res. N. Y. City.
544 Frederick Dean, b. May 1, 1856.
Children by 2d marriage:
William Watson, b. June 30, 1864; grad. Williams Coll.:
in. Oct. 7, 1903, Helen Lenox Street. Is pastor of
Park Congregational Oh.. Hartford, Conn.
293 James Waitstill 7 Ranney (brother to Evander Willard).
b'. Sept. 23, 1824, West Townshend, \t.\ m. (1) May 21. 1819,
Iveene, N. H., Deborah Deane Gerauld, b. Apr. 5, 1824; d.
N. Y. City; dau. of Samuel Allen Gerauld (b. July 27, 1793; d.
Sept. 21, 1887; son of Theodore Gerauld) and Deborah Deane
(b. Dedham, Mass.: d. Jan. 15, 1865); m. (2) Aug. 31, 1857.
N. Y. Citv, Helen Elizabeth Hunter, b. June 6, 1836, White River
Junction, "Vt, dau. of Dr. Galen Hunter (b. Jan. 1, 1800, West-
more, Vt.; d. Aug. 6, 1872, N. Y. City) and Elizabeth Rosalind
Willard (b. Apr. 28, 1807, Charlestown,' N. H.; d. May 87, L852,
N. Y. Citv). Dr. Galen Hunter was the son of Jabesh Hunter
(b. June 24, 1769; d. Oct. 7, 1848) and Mary 4 Savage (b. July
27, 1774, Hartford, Vt. ; d. Mar. 2, 1862, Vt, ; dau. of Thomas''
Savage (b. Dec. 15, 1714, Upper Houses: rem. 1749, to Bethle-
hem, Conn., and 1768 to Hartford, Vt., where he served in the
Rev. War and was pensioned) and Martha Whitmore, b. June 11,
1719, dau. of Joseph and Mary | Warner] Whitmore of Middle-
town. Conn. Thomas 3 Savage 'was the son of John- Savage and
Marv 2 Rannev.
Dr. James Waitstill Ranney taught school in Townshend, when
fifteenth years of age, and " hired out" in the summer to work-
on a farm. At twenty-two he entered Middlebury College, and
bv hard work and his Own efforts he remained to graduate, lb-
took a course in medicine at the New York Uni. of Medicine, com-
334 MIDDLETOWN" UPPER HOUSES
menced to practice in No. Bennington, Vt., but soon rem. to
New York City. Within a year he was elected to the Common
Council. In three years his practice was so great he was com-
pelled to withdraw from political life. He soon called in the
aid of a brother from Vermont and later set him up in a separate
practice. Two other brothers followed in succession and in turn
were set up in separate practice. In 1860 he was elected coroner,
and held the position for three years. For over twenty years he
was connected with twelve leading railroads as surgeon and at-
tending physician, and for some years family physician to the
late Commodore Vanderbilt and Russell Sage. He made lunacy
a specialty, and often acted as commissioner in lunacy. He was
a regular attendant of the Congregational Church. He d. Feb.
28, 1889. The widow res. in N. Y. City.
Child by 1st marriage:
Emma Gerauld, b. May 3, 1850; m. June 15, 1870, Elisha
Flagg Clark, who d. Oct. 26, 1881; she res. Tenafly,
N. J. Children:
Watson Gerould, b. Sept. 1, 1871; m. June 18, 1902,
Mabel Marion Palmer. Children:
Watson Gerould, b. Jan. 12, 1904.
Henry Bogert Palmer, b. Dec. 8, 1905.
Margaret Elizabeth, b. Mar. 17, 1873.
Elsie Blanc-he, b. Aug. 19. 1874.
Mary Emma, b. Aug. 26, 1876; d. Apr. 2, 1903.
Ada* Ranney, b. Oct. 29, 1879.
Elizah Flagg, b. Apr. 5, 1882.
Children by 2d marriage:
Henrietta Hunter, b. Feb. 4, 1860; num.
545 Nellie Kate, b. July 6, 1866; m. Dec. 29, 1892. Richard
Henry Reed; res. N. Y. City.
Mary Augusta, b. Sept. 22. 1870;' d. Aug. 20, 1871.
294 Helen Louisa 7 Ranney (sister to Evander Willard), b.
Feb. 1<>. 1824, West Townshend, Vt.; m. Feb. 23, is is, \V,-i
Townshend, Vt., Norman Bottum, b. Oct. 5. 1822, Shaftsbury,
Vt., sun of Nathan Huntington Bottum and Peace Huntington.
His residence was on his Father's farm. Deacon Bapt. Oh., Church
Ban) Director, Rep. In twenty-two years he was absent
hut eighl Sundays from the S. S. of which he was Supt., and from
the choir. Be made it a rule in all correspondence to refer to the
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 335
welfare of the soul of his correspondent. She mem. Cong. Ch., d.
April 1, 1879; he d. July 8, 1870.
Children :
546 Henry Merle, b. Jan. 18, 1849.
Stella Eliza, b. July 4, 1853; d. Sept. 15. 1854.
547 Fannie Lorraine, b. Sept. 22, 1855.
Nellie Agnes, b. June 6, 1859; d. June 6, 1860.
Anna. Bertha, b. Mar. 23, 1866; unm. ; teacher, Chicago.
295 Frances Sophia 7 Ranney (sister to Evander Willard), b.
Jan. 25, 1828, West Townshend, Vt.; m. Dec. 19, 1855, New
York City, Nathan Bottum, b. Mar. 6, 1827, Shaftsburv, Vt. ;
d. Feb. 26, 1889, Shaftsburv, Vt.; son of Nathan Huntington
Buttum and Peace Huntington; farmer, Town Treasurer, and
held other offices of trust. She d. 1871.
Children:
Alfred Henry, b. Jan. 11. 1857; d. Jan. 3, 1864.
548 George Henry, b. Jan. 15, 1861.
296 Martin Luther 7 Rannev (brother to Evander Willard). b.
Jan. 20, 1830, West Townshend, Vt.; m. Apr. 29, 1857, N. Y.
City, Margaret E. Luckey, b. Sept. 26, 1836; physician in X.
Y. City; d. there.
Children:
Frederick Merrill, b. May 2, 1859; physician in N. Y. City.
549 Maud Hepworth. b. Feb"! 24, 1876; ni. Carl L. Becker.
297 Mary Angeline 7 Ranney (sister to Evander Willard), b.
Aug. 20, 1832, West Townshend, A T t. ; m. July 7, 1869, J. "K.
Herbert.
Children:
May, b. May 4, 1870; d.
Stewart Randolph, b. Nov. 27, 1874; d. - — .
298 Ambrose 7 Arnold (Ambrose Tyler 6 , Esther 5 Ranney,
Ephraim 4 , Thomas 3 . Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. June 19, 1815. West-
minster, Vt. ; m. July 1, 1850, Westminster, Catherine A. Cone,
b. May 24, 1830, Westminster; d. May 26, 1901, Westminster.
Vt. ; dau. of James Cone and Catherine Cuyler; employed in
railroading, Rep., Epis., F. & A. M., I. O. O. F.; d. Apr. 4 - . 1885.
Westminster, Vt.
336 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
< 7/ ildren :
Elizabeth P., b. Mar. 23, 1852; iinm.
Gertrude, b. May 11, 1857; d. Jan. 7, 1879.
Harry A., b. Dec. 11, ; res. Audubon, Iowa.
Arthur P., b. Apr. 21, 1863; res. Westminster. Vt.
Herbert E., b. Aug. 21, 1865; res. Somerville, Mass.
299 Fenelon 7 Arnold (brother to Ambrose), b. Jan. 25,
1817, Westminster, Vt. ; m. (1) Nov. 4, 1840, Amanda Rich-
ards, b. Aug. 7, 1822, Westminster; d. Dec. 24, 1867; dan. of
Luther A. Richards and Polly Page; m. (2) Mar. 1. 1872, Wal-
pole, N. H., Emily Augusta Marsh, b. Feb. 25, 1837, Walpole.
dan. of Edmund Adams Marsh and Isabella Hosmer. He d.
Dec. 1, 1901. Widow res. Walpole, N. H.
( 'hildren by 1st marriage:
Charles Ferris, b. July 28, 1853.
George Richards, b. Sept. 26, 1857; d. Aug. 6, 1878.
( 'hilil by 2d marriage:
Seth Fenelon, b. Dec. 21, 1878; student at Tufts College,
Med ford, Mass.
300 Ralph Parker 7 Ranney (James , Janna 5 , Ephraim 4 .
Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 )^ b. Mar. 7, 181?. West minster,
Vt.; m. Mar. 4, 1834, Delaware, 0.. Harriet Storm, b. June 26,
1814, Delaware, who d. 1902, Episcopal. He with his two brothers
crossed the plains to California, and d. May 9, 1872, Washington.
D. C.
Child:
George Lewis, b. Sept. 6, 1840; d. Jan. 12. 1843.
301 Lewis H. 7 Ranncv (brother to Ralph Parker), b. Oct. IS.
1817. Springfield, Vt.; m. Sept. 9, 1848, Elizabeth Burden, b.
May 25, 1827, Devonshire, Eng., dau. of John Burden and Jane
Sessford; rot. from CaL, became Clerk in TJ. S. Bureau of Sta-
tistics; d. Sept. 1. 1899, Washington, D. C.
Children:
Mary, b. Dee. 11, 1851; d. July 26, 1858.
Emma, 1». -Ian. 8, 1855; unm. ; its. Washington, D C.
Caroline. I). July 1, L857; unm.; its. Washington, D. C.
302 [saac 1 Ranney (brother to Ralph Parker), b. Feb. 21,
L820, Manchester, VI. ; m. Nov. 12, 1815, Delaware, O., Sarah
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 337
Eleanor Smith, b. Oct. 13, 1824. Delaware, 0.; d. June 25, 1903,
Gaithersburg, Md.; dau. of Solomon Smith and Sarah Eleanor
Root of Pittsfield, Mass. Solomon Smith, a noted civil engineer,
laid out the town of Delaware, 0. Sarah Eleanor Koot was the
dau. of Colonel Azariah Root, an officer in the Rev. War, and a
descendant of John Root, a settler of Farmington, Conn.
Isaac Ranney, Republican, lawyer. Circuit Judge 1858-1862,
removed, in 1873, to Gaithersburg, Md., where he died Oct. 8,
1876; buried in Delaware, Ohio. The widow resided with her
daughter, Mrs. Munro, and d. June 25, 1903. She was a mem.
Epis. Ch. ; burial, Delaware, 0. Judge Ranney was a cultured
gentleman, honorable and upright, respected by all, of a sweet
nature, and courtly manners.
"Children:
550 Sarah Frances, b. Sept. 28, 1846; m. Charles L. Lybrand.
Eleanor Marv, b. Oct. 1, 1848; d. Oct. 11, 1863.
551 Grace, b. Sept. 21, 1854; m. John B. Diamond.
552 Elizabeth Burden, b. June 19, 1856; m. David M. Munro.
Myra Chase, b. Jan. 2, 1859; d. 1860.
Harry Willard, b. Jan. 28, 1862; d. June 23, 1864.
553 Katherine Rebecca, b. Dec. 14, 1865; m. James B. Adams.
302a John Jay 7 Hart (Delia Willis, Sybil 5 Ranney, Willett 4
Willett 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Mar. 13, 1831, Adams, N. Y. ; d.
Nov. 24, 1896; m. Jan. 20, 1859, Oswego, N. Y., Mary Elizabeth
Gridley, b. Jan. 1, 1814, Albany, N. Y., dau. of Timothy Henry
Gridley of Dutchess Co. N. Y. and Elizabeth ' Utley, of Swan,
Miner and Denison families of Conn. Rep., Cong., for many years
he conducted the leading dry goods business in Oswego, to which
place he had removed in 1850. Widow res. in Oswego, N. Y.
Children :
George Dwight, b. Dec. 24, 1859; m. Dec. 3, 18S5, Julia
Penfield, b. Aug., 1862. Oswego, N. Y., dau. of Edwin
P. Penfield and Elizabeth Hovev. [nsurance, 1. 0. 0. F.
Res. Detroit, Mich. Children:
Ethel Penfield, b. Aug. 8, 1886.
Josephine Howe, b. Oct. 18, 1888.
James Munroe, b. Sept. 18, 1862; m. Oct. 20„ 1886, Sophia
Sliepard Ould, b. Jan., 1863, d. June 29, 1905, dau. of
John Ould of Oswego and Susan Shepard of Oneida,
X. Y. (See the Shepard Family.) Rep., ice lmsine--.
Res. Oswego, N. Y. Children:
338 MIDDLETOW.Y DPPEB HOUSES
John Jay, b. July 25, 1887.
James Shepard, b. June 15, 1888.
Susan Clarene, b. Feb. 10, 1891.
Frederick Massey, b. May 4, 1866; m. June 7, 1893, Anna
Lyman, b. June, 1867, Pulaski, N. Y., dau. of Henry
H. Lyman and Emily Vorce Bennett. Eep., F. A. M.
Ees. Oswego, N. Y. Child:
Henry Hart, b. July 1, 1897.
"Mary, b. Sept. 12, 1869; m. June 11, 1890, Smith Matt
Bostick, b. Nov. 21, 1863, Eobertville, Hampton Co.,
S. C, dau. of Eichard Fuller Bostick, now of Hamilton.
N. Y., and Maria Ballinger Mott. Ees. Oswego, X. V.
Children :
.Miner Hart. b. July 29, 1891.
Eichard Jay, b. Feb. 9, 1895.-
303 Willett Eannev 7 Willis (Willett Ranney 6 Willis, Sybil 5
Eannev, Willett 4 , Willett 3 . Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Sept. 15. 1839.
Adams, N. Y.; d. Mar. 3, 1902, Pueblo, Colo; m. Apr. 7. 1863,
Adams, N. Y., Frances Maria Grimes, b. June 12, 1839, Buffalo,
N. Y., dan. of James Stanley Grimes and Frances Warner of
Springfield, Mass. He was a woolen mfr., Brownsville, X. Y.,
until 1872, then in cattle business in Colorado ; Com'r of Huer-
ford Co., Colo., 1898-1900; Eep. The widow is mem. of D. A. E..
as a descendant of Amaziah Sanderson; Episcopal; res. Pueblo,
Colorado.
Children:
554 Edward Jarvis, b. Oct. 28, 1866.
555 Frank Grimes, b. Nov. 13, 1867.
Stanley John, b. Sept. 11, 1869; nnm. : Surveyor; res.
Wonder, Nevada.
556 Kate Elizabeth, 1). Dec. 5, 1870; m. IT. E. Hills.
Eosa Belle, b. Oct. 16. 1872; nnm.
Anna Flora, b. Jan. 9, 1874; unm.
Marv Frances, b. Nov. 27, 1864; d. Aug. 15, 1866.
Willett Eannev, b. Nov. 9, 1881; grad. 1906. Colorado
College; unm.; res. Colorado Springs, Colo.
304 Willett Phineas 7 Eannev (John 6 , Willett 5 , Willett 4 . Wil-
lett 8 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Sept. I. L830, Pierrepont Manor,
V Y.: in. Jan. 25, 1860. Cleveland, O., Margarel Tiebout, b. Mar.
21, L838, dau. of George Tieboul and Martha Wilson. Ee d.
Feb. 11, L890, she Dec. 3, 1904, interments in Riverside Cemetery
( lleveland.
DESCEXDAXTS OF THOMAS 1UXNKV 339
Leaving home at eighteen years of age, he was employed for
a while by his Uncle Orville in Buffalo. He then went' to the
lumbering camps in Green Bay. Wis., region, and established a
trading store on Washington Island, furnishing fishermen with
supplies, and taking in exchange their catches of fish, which he
shipped to various points. On his marriage he settled in Cleve-
land, 0., and established himself in the wholesale salt-fish business.
His sons now conduct it under the firm name of The Eannev
Fish Co.
Mrs. Ranney was a descendant through the Tiebout, Calyer,
Meserole and Praa families, of Captain Peter Praa, who came to
this country with his parents in 1655, and was one of the early
Dutch settlers of Greenpoint, Long Island. Her father was George
Tiebout, b. Feb. 11, 1799, Greenpoint. X. Y.; d. Xov. 14, 1864.
Cleveland, 0.; son of Margaretta Colyer, who was the grand-
daughter of Jacobus Colyer.
The following appeared in the Brooklvn Daily Times of Oct.
20, 1879 :
" The land at Greenpoint, X. Y., was originally granted to
Dirk (or Dierk) Volkertsen. It was a ' ground brief, dated Apr.
3, 1645/ under which he appears to have taken possession of nearly
the whole peninsula lying on the East River, between Mespat
Kill (Xewtown Creek) and Xorman Kill (Bushwick Creek). In
1653 he conveyed the northerly portion of Green Point to Jacob
Hay (or Hays), who died soon after, leaving his widow, Christina
Cappoens, and one child, Maria Hay. Maria Hay's first husband
was Jost Adrience Molenair (or Miller), after whose death she
married Captain Peter Praa, a native of Leyden, who had come
in 1655 to this country in his childhood with his parents.
" Although born in Holland, his father was a Huguenot from
France, who had taken refuge in Leyden. Peter Praa was a man
of great enterprise and public spirit, commander of the Bushwick
Militia, and otherwise prominent in the councils of the town.
He and his wife, Maria Hay. by will of her mother, Christina
Cappoens, and by purchase of the sons of Dirk Volkertsen, appear
to have acquired title to nearly all the land at Green Point, and
their lineal descendants continued to be the principal, if not the
sole, occupants of the territory for nearly one hundred years
thereafter.
" Peter Praa and wife had no sons, so that the name of Praa
became extinct, but of their four daughters Elizabeth married
Jan Meserole, and to them were born two sons, Abraham and
Jacob, and a daughter Janita, who married Jacobus Colyer. At
the time of the Revolutionary War they lived in a house near the
340 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
mouth of Bushwick Crook, built by Dirk Yolkertsen, the Norman.
This Jacobus Colyer was the great-grandfather of John and Peter
Colyer, lately deceased, who for so many years resided in Colyer
Street, also the great-great-grandfather of Cornelius H. Tiebout,
the oldest lineal descendant of Jacobus Colyer, now living at
Greenpoint."
Mrs. Ranney's mother, b. Nov. 18, 1809; d. Mar. 21, 1882.
Cleveland, 0., was eldest daughter of John Wilson, who had
removed to Cleveland about 1830 from Sacketts Harbor, N. Y.,
and Ann Aram, b. 1786, England; d. Jan. 30, 1831, Oswego,
N. Y. She was the daughter of Joseph Aram, late of Green
Hammerton, England (b. 1740: d. Jan. 21, 1803; interred in
Parish Churchyard, Whixley, York, Yorkshire. England) and
Margaret Aram (b. 1738, England; d. dune 6, 1821, aged
83; interred in the Log Meeting House Yard, English Settle-
ment, No. 9. Ontario County, New York; she loft Hull, Eng-
land, June 6, 1806, on the Italian Chief, and, after a passage of
sixty-two days, reached New York on Aug. 7, 1806).
Children :
Lynn Anderson, b. Mar. 12, 1861; m. Jan. 4, 1888, Clove-
land, Caroline May Brewer, b. Jan.. 1868, Cleveland.
O., dau. of Nelson Charles Brewer and Caroline Cor-
nelia Benedict. Children:
Willett Brewer, b. Nov. 12, 1891.
Lynn Anderson, b. Jan. 9. 1893.
Pereival Kent, b. Apr. 11. 1894.
Margaret Jeanette, b. !><'<•. 24, 1897.
Philip Tiebout, b. Mar. 2:. L863; d. Fob. 26, 1883.
Willett George, b. Sept. 14, 1867; unm. ; grad. 1890, Rens-
selaer Polytechnic [nst, Troy, N. Y. ; engaged in
stock raising in Custer Co., Neb. Res. Cleveland. 0.
Cornelius John, 1>. Aug. L5, 1869; num. Res. Cleveland, I >.
Robert Bristol, b. Sept. 13, L871; m. Jan. I. L899, Cleve-
land, ()., Florence Eva Jenkins, b. Juno 27. 1874.
Cleveland, O., dau. of Nathan Sturgis Jenkins and
Eva Davis. Res. Cleveland, O. Children:
Judith, b. Apr. 18. 1900.
Philip Tiebout, b. Nov. 8, L901.
Keith Irwin, b. Apr. 21. 1880: unm. Res. Cleveland, O.
305 Daniel Bristol 7 Ranney (brother to Willett Phineas), b.
-Ian. vs. L834, Smithville, N. Y. ; m. Nov. 2, 1865, Cleveland,
o.. .lane Ranney, b. Aug. 25, 1842, Exeter, England, dan. of
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 341
Ilenrv Sargent Parmer and Jane Collings. TTe was a farmer,
1st Lieut. Co. L, 10th Keg., N. Y. H. A., Aug. 7, 1862— June 23,
1865; Rep.. New Church; he d. June, 1896, Lowell, Mich.
Children:
557 Theodora, b. Sept. 12, 1866; m. Henry H. Lake.
Daisy Gertrude, b. Oct. 18, 1868; teacher, Trinidad, Colo.
558 Helen Mabel, b. Oct. 16, 1870; m. Bert E. Quick.
Mary Mildred, b. Sept. 15, 1873; m. Dec. 3, 1902, Toronto,
Ontario, Wayne Hudson Hadcock, b. Dec. 13, 1868, Co-
penhagen, N. Y. ; bookkeeper. Res. "Water-town. X. Y.
Stella, b. Sept. 30, 1875; teacher, Denver, Col.
Henry De Albert, b. May 25, 1878; m. Sept. 30. 1903,
Mabel "Westfall; res. Nome, Alaska.
306 Martha Cornelia 7 Rannev (sister to Willett Phineas), b.
May 2, 1845, Smithville, N. Y.; m. Dec. 8, 1873, N. Y. City,
James Garrison Cooper, b. Oct. 1, 1823; d. Jan. 19, 1903, Bay-
onne, N. J., on editorial staff of New York Tribune for many
years. Widow res. Great Kills, Staten Island, N. Y.
Child:
Grace Ranney, b. Oct. 19, 1874: m. Oct. 12, 1895. Louis
Kossuth 'Ruttkay, b. Mar. 16, 1875, New Orleans, La.,
son of Albert Ruttkay and Laura Wiley, and grandson
of Madame Ruttkay, late of Buda Pesth, Hungary,
sister to Louis Kossuth, the Hungarian Patriot ; res.
Great Kills, Staten Island. Children:
Louis Kossuth, b. May 18, 1897.
Dorothy Constance, b. Oct. 13, 1898.
Laura Wiley, b. July 9, 1900.
307 Ellen 7 Drake (Sophronia Rannev. Willett 5 , Willett 4 , Wil-
lett 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Dec. 1, 1832, Redfield, N. Y. ; m.
Nov. 19, 1857, Beaver, Mich., George Traut Knowles, b. Nov.
19, 1834, Chittenango, N. Y. ; merchant, Rep.. F. & A M. : res.
Beaver, Minn.
Child:
Jennie, b. Oct. 31, 1859, Beaver. Minn.; m. May 6, 1880,
William Henry Green, b. Sept. 29. 1857. Marston, Wis. ;
farmer. Rep., M. W. of A.; res. Beaver, Minn. Chil-
dren :
Ellen Mav, b. Mar. 28, 1881 ; d. May 24, 1889.
Herbert Knowles, b. June 16, 1883.
342 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Chester William, b. Nov. 6, 1887; d. May 22, 1889.
Jeannette Ranney, b. Oct. 22, 1891.
George Hurther/b. Apr. 11, 1893.
Fred Jay, b. Aug. 21, 1896.
308 Jeannette 7 Drake (sister to Ellen), b. Aug. 8, 1836, Red-
field, N. Y. ; m. Sept. 26, 1858, Beaver, Minn., Jay Reed Martin,
b. Apr. 13, 1835, Kingsburg, N. Y. ; d. Nov. 21, 1864, Minneiska.
Minn.; grain merchant, Rep.; widow res. Beaver, Minn.
Children :
Mary, b. Aug. 22, 1860; d. Mar. 26, 1875.
Anna Elizabeth, b. Oct. 6, 1861; d. Dec. 3, 1863.
Jay Reed, b. Dec. 9, 1864; m. Nov. 9, 1889. Annandale.
Minn., Bertha May Grafft, b. Feb. 8, 1868, Mexico,
Ind., dau. of John Grafft and Nancy McCalla; grain
merchant, Rep., F. & A. M.. R. A.; she is mem. Zurab
Ladies; res. Minneapolis. Minn. Children:
Gerald Reed, b. May 26, 1891.
Charles Jay, b. Aug. 28, 1892.
309 Brayton Lester 7 Drake (brother to Ellen), b. Nov. 18, 1838,
Redfield, N. Y.; m. Sept. 28, 1862, Beaver, Minn., Emily Caroline
Jeffords, b. Feb. 24, 1844, Westfield, N. Y., dau. of Lanson Jeffords
and Louisa Maria Corey. Contractor and builder; Prohib. ; F. &
'A. M. Res. Wabasha, Minn.
Children :
Clara E., b. Sept. 1, 1863 ; m. .
Nellie, b. Apr. 20, 1865; d. Sept. 5, 1867.
Freddie, b. Oct. 16, 1867; d. July 5, 1868.
Lester Ranney, b. June 26, 1869 ; m. .
Harvey, b. Nov. 20, 1871 ; unm.
Reuben I., b. Oct. 16, 1874; m. .
Charles L., b. July 19, 1878 ; m. .
Elsie L., b. Nov. 23, 1882.
310 Margaret 7 Drake (sister to Ellen). 1>. Apr. 25, 1842. Red-
field, N. Y.; m. Dec. 23, 1861, Elgin, Minn., William Buckingham,
b. Jan. 8, 1828, Hartland, Ct. ; in Cal. 5 years; since 1860 in Minn.
M'l'liant : Rep.; Cong. She is mem. R. N. A. Res. Beaver, Minn.
Children:
Willis, 1.. Jan. 22, 1863; m. July 16, 1895, Milton, N. Dakota,
[da Belle Eolloway, b. Apr. s. L869, Lacom, 111., dau. of
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS KAWKY 343
Elijah Martin Holloway and Mary Ann Elinor McNolte.
Grain buyer; Eep. ; F. & A. M. Res. Park Eiver, N.
Dakota. Children :
Tracy, b. July 2, 1897.
Margaret, b. Aug. 23, 1902.
Arthur Andrews, b. May 23, 1866; m. Apr. 9, 1888, Albert
Lea, Minn., Li 11a Martin, b. June 30, 1862, Whitewater,
Wis., d. Jan. 7, 1900, Crookston, Minn., dau. of Walter
James Martin and Alice Alvira Rood; m. (2) 1903,
Agnes Cyr. Presby. ; D. O. L. M. He is Supt. of grain
elevators; Rep.; Bapt.; X. of M. ; A. O. U. W.; K. of
Mac. of the World. Res. Crookston, Minn. Children:
Charles, b. Dec. 17, 1888.
Alice, b. Jan. 27, 1891.
James, b. Dec. 19, 1892.
Jay, b. Mar. 15, 1896.
Lynn, b. Oct. 26, 1897.
Philip, b. Jan. 5, 1900.
Lilla, b. 1904.
Brayton, b. Aug. 9, 1868, Beaver, Minn.; m. Oct, 27, 1897,
Isabella Maud Tucker, b. Jan. 14, 1871, Princeton, Wis.;
d. Jan. 29, 1907, dau. of Richmond Tucker and Cornelia
Bronson. Rep.; Postmaster; F. & A. M. Res. Argyle,
Minn. Child :
Lois Isabella, b. Jan. 19, 1907.
Roy, b. Oct. 8, 1873, unm. First Nat. Bank, Seattle, Wash-
ington.
311 Lester Ranney 7 Brooks (Jeanette 6 Ranney, Willett'''. Wil-
lett\ Willett 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. May 19, 1847, Redfichl. N.
Y. ; m. Apr. 9, 1873, Elba, Minn. ; d. Nov. 11, 1902, Minneapolis,
Minn. ; m. Josephine Bullen, b. May 12, 1850, Kenosha, Wis., dau.
of John Bullen and Henrietta Mygatt* Rep., F. A. M., 32°. A
man possessed of large wealth.
In the business world Mr. Brooks was a man of force and influ-
ence. Though most unpretentious in his daily life, he was a deep
student, and having travelled a great deal, lie was a man with whom
it was a pleasure to come in contact.
In 1897-8 he served as president of the Chamber of Commerce,
and was one of the most efficient and conscientious executive officers
that that great trading organization ever had. In the past two
years he had been chairman of the construction committee of the
Chamber of Commerce, and in that capacity had much to do with
344 MIDDLETOWN" UPPER HOUSES
the erection of the fine new building which that body has just taken
possession of.
From early associations Mr. Brooks has shown a decided taste
for the banking business, and was a strong man in financial circles,
being a director of the Northwestern National Bank of Minneapo-
lis, and of the Second National of Winona, lie had given the
money question a good deal of study, and was well informed upon
all matters pertaining to it. Mr. Brooks was an enthusiastic
yachtsman, and had served as commodore of the Minnetonka Yacht
Club. Widow res. .Minneapolis. Child:
Philip Ranney, b. Oct. 29, 1875, Winona, Minn.; m. Feb. 12,
190T, Chicago, 111., Caroline Lehman Sewall, b. Jan. 12,
1884, Stillwater, Minn., dau. of Edmund Devereaua
Sewall and Anna Lehman, who were married in Beth-
lehem, Pa. ; descendant of Henry Sewall, b. 1544, and
Mayor of Coventry, England, the 4th in descent having
been Chief Justice Samuel Sewall, of witchcraft trial.
Salem, Mass. Mr. Brooks is Sec. of Brooks-Scanlon
Lumber Co. Yale, 1898: Pep., 32° F. & A. M. Pes. Min-
neapolis, Minn.
[Mygatt-Websteb Lineage — Deacon Joseph Mygatt came with
!iis wife Ann from England in 1633 in the ship (!ri/Jin in company
with bis pastor, Pev. Thomas Hooker. Rev. Joseph Cotton, and
Rev. Mr. Stone. He rem. with the Hooker company from New-
towne, now Cambridge, Mass., to Hartford, in 1636. He d. 1680,
and his wife in 1686, their residence being on what is Bushnell
Park.
Joseph 2 Mygatt m. in 1655, Sarah Whiting, dau. of William
Whiting from London, lirsi treas. of the Connecticut Colony.
Joseph 3 Mygatt m. Nov. 15. L677, Sarah 3 Webster, b. 1655^ Upper
Houses, dau. of Robert 2 Webster (Gov. John 1 Webster) and
Susanna 2 Treal ( Richard 1 I .
Zebulon 4 Mygatt, b. Nov. 3, 1693; m. Dorothy Water-, b. Aug.
28, 1T04.
Austin 8 Mygati m. Lameni Blinn, b. 1735. Red. Feb. 23, 1776,
in the camp of the Continental Army on Bunker Hill.
Sylvester 8 Mygatt, b. Sept. 9, L774; m. Aug. 29, 1800, Abi Booth,
dau. of Elisha Booth of Berlin, Conn. They d. in Kenosha, Wis.
Eenrietta 7 Mygatt, b. Sept. 7, L806, Clinton, \. V.: m. Sept. 28,
L826, John Bullen, Jr., of Oswego, N". Y. who Eounded Kenosha,
Wis. In is:; i he was deputed by a company of Oswegans to seek
out a now home for them in the now country, then coining into
aotii e, west of Lake Michigan. Hiring an Indian guide in Chicago
in June, L834, the two pitched their tent on the spot overlooking
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 345
their harbor. He established his pre-emption claim and Kenosha
is known for its beauty of situation.
Josephine 8 Bullen, b. May 12, 1850, Kenosha, m. Apr. 9, 1873,
Elba Minn, Lester Eanney Brooks.]
312 Dwight Frederick 7 Brooks. M. 1). (brother to Lester Ran-
ney), b. June 10, 1849, Redfield, N. Y.; m. Sept. 22, 1875, Winona,
Minn., Anna Genevieve Keyes, b. Manchester, Mich., dau. of John
Keyes and Angelina Pease. Grad. M. D., Univ. of Michigan.
Pros. Brooks-Scanlon Lumber Co. ; Kep. ; F. & A. M. Bes. " Mer-
riam Park," St. Paul, Minn.
Children:
Harry Keves, b. Sept. 4, 1876, Minneiska, Minn.; rem. with
parents, 1887, to "Merriam Park," St. Paul, Minn.
Grad. 1896, St. Paul High School; 1896-7 student Univ.
of Minnesota and interested in athletics; Phi Kappa
Psi ; assisted his father two years in lumber business ;
rem., 1901, to Scanlon, Minn., as Asst.-Sec. of Brooks-
Scanlon Lumber Co. ; unm. ; Cong. Bes. Scanlon, Minn.
Sheldon Dwight, b. Mar. 31, 1878, Minneiska, Minn., grad.
1897, St. Paul High School; student, 1897-8, Univ. of
Minnesota; Phi Kappa Psi; assisted father four years
in lumber business; rem. 1902, to Scanlon, Minn., hav-
ing charge of the railroad and logging operations of
Brooks-Scanlon Lumber Co.; F. & A. M. ; unm. Res.
Scanlon, Minn.
Edward, b. Aug. 8, 1888, " Merriam Park," St. Paul, Minn.,
attended high school but left on acct. of health and
travelled extensively 1905-6. Cong. Assisting father.
313 Anson Strong 7 Brooks (brother to Lester Ranney), l>. Sept.
6, 1852, Bedfield, N. Y. ; m. July 24, 1876, McGregor, la., Georgie
Andros, b. Sept. 28, 1858, Garneville, la., dau. of Richard Salter
Storrs Andros and Maria Worthing. Came to Minnesota in 1856.
Worked as telegraph operator '68 to '74. Member of linn of Brooks
Brothers from 1873 to present time. Have lived in Minneapolis
since 1897. Bes. Minneapolis, Minn.
Children:
Paul Andros, b. Sept. 16, 1881 ; grad. 1906, Yale Law School,
unm. Bes. Minneapolis, Minn.
Stanley, l». May 11, 1886; student Yale Shef. Sci. School;
(1. Oct. 12', 1907.
346 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
316 Sarah Shepherd 7 Ranney (Reuben 6 , Jonathan 5 , George 4 ,,
George 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. July 28, 1825, Granville, Mass.;
m. July 7, 1847, Granville, Mass., J ere Austin Scott, b. Apr. 13,
1806, Ridgefield, Conn. Horticulturist; Rep.; Cong. ch. Res.
Ridgefield, Conn., to 1883; Maumee, Ohio, to 1859; Toledo, 0.,
to 1867; Elizabeth, N. J., 1868; Ann Arbor, Mich., to death, July
25, 1892. She was mem. Cong. ch. and died Apr. 2, 1883, Ann
Arbor, Mich.
Ch ildren :
559 Austin, b. Aug. 10, 1848.
Evart Henry, b. Aug. 2, 1850.
Annie Elizabeth, b. Feb. 13, 1855 ; d. Nov. 29, 1866.
560 Mary Eliza Horton, b. May 3, 1863; m. Dr. C. E. Davis.
Ranney Converse, b. Nov. 30, 1867.
317 Timothy Pickering 7 Ranney (brother to Sarah Shepherd),
b. Aug. 2, 1818, East Granville, Mass. ; m. Apr. 4, 1860, Newark,
N. J., Anna Pope, dau. of Samuel Hayes Pennington, M. D., LL.
I), and Anna June McClellan Pope. Counsellor-at-law, 1851-1870,
Newark; 1870-1874, Elizabeth, N. J.; d. Apr. 24, 1874. Widow
Presby. ; mem. Col. Dames of N. J. ; N. J. Hist. Soc. Res. N. York
City.
Children:
Sarah Pennington, b. Feb. 23, 1861, unm.
Pennington, b. May 7, 1862, grad. 1882, Princeton Uni.; In-
structor in Physics, Rutgers Col.; d. July 18, 1897,
Colorado Springs, Col.
Joseph Pope, b. Feb. 20, 1865, unm. ; grad. 1886, Princeton
Uni., 1889, M. A.; with R, R. Eng. firm to 1891; Sec-
Trcas. 1891-1899 of Caledonia Mining and Mfg. Co.;
♦ adm. 1896 to Pennsylvania Bar; since 1899 Sec-Treas.
of Tidewater Bldg. Co., No. 25 W. 26th St.. N. Y. Citv.
Anna Elizabeth, b. June 10, 1868, unm.
317a Lucretia 7 Ranney (Samuel Hall 8 , George 6 , George 4 .
George 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. June 17, L796, ^shfield, Mass.';
m (1) 1816, Lemuel Sears, b. . d. May 38, 1819; m. (2)
L820, Col. Nehemiah Eathaway, b.— — , d. 184 I. Grand Rapids,
Mich. She d. May 17. L879, Schoolcraft, Mich.
Children by 1st marriage:
Lemuel Sears, b. Aug., 1817; d. June. 1S30.
( 'hildren by 2d marriage:
Caroline, b. \<>v. 11. 1821; d. Aug. 21, [850; m. June 1.
L840, ('lark B. Alber of Grand Eaven, Mich.
Mrs. Eliza Susan (Rannet) Swensojs
(See page 477)
Will I \M llA.Wl Y \\n Will
(See page 347)
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 347
Mary Stewart, b. July 30, 1823; d. May 21, 1804; m. Feb.
12, 1845, Dr. M. Freeman.
Charles William, b. Apr. 12, 1825; d. Feb. 20, 1891; m. Nov.
28, 1846, Mary Tracy, b. 1825, Lima, 0. Son is Sec.
of Grand Rapids Board of Trade.
Emily Agnes, b. June 16, 1827, Ashfield, Mass. : m. Mar. 25,
1848, James D. Lyon, b. Jan. 15. 1825. Widow res.
Grand Rapids.
318 William 7 Ranney (Samuel Hall 8 , George'', George 4 , George 3 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Oct. 23, 1805, Ashfield, Mass.; m. (1)
1828, Ashfield, Eliza Ann Smith, b. ; d. April, 1833 ;
m. (2) Oct., 1836, Canandaigua, N. Y.. Ann Ostrander McCarty,
b. Mar. 17, 1807, Phelps, N. Y., dan. of William Ann Roxy Os-
trander and widow of McCarty, who d. Aug. 24, 1892,
Osawatomie, Kan. He d. Apr. 8, 1888, Osawatomie. A son has
contributed the following:
"William Ranney learned to be an edge-tool maker, then built
and managed a saw mill. During winters he drove to Boston, 110
miles, with produce, using the six-horse wagon of that day, and
consuming two weeks in making a round trip.
" In those days, it was the custom for men to go throughout the
country and buy from the farmers their surplus live-stock. They
would gather up cattle, sheep and hogs in large droves, drive them
to some of the large coast markets, and sell them for slaughter, or
to the farmers throughout the country for fattening purposes. In
this business, he was engaged for some time. Brighton Market,
which was situated four miles out of Boston, was the market used
by all the New England country. These Brighton drovers bought
their stock from all the New England states, and sometimes went
as far west as the state of Ohio; when they had bought up and
gathered together the required number they drove them across
the country to Brighton Market. One of these trips took him into
the Genesee Valley country of the state of New York, where he
bought from the settlers of that then comparatively new country
1400 head of hogs, which he drove on down, crossing the Hudson
River at Albany, and from there on to Brighton Market, to be
disposed of as before stated. This took place in about the year
of 1835. On this trip, he had ample opportunity to take a careful
view of the Genesee Valley, and he was so very favorably impressed
with the country that he decided to change his location and move
from Ashfield to Canandaigua, N. Y. So it happened that on his
return home, he made known to his father the intentions he had in
mind, and the matter, after having been talked over between them
348 MIDDLETOWN" UPPER HOUSES
and the other members of the family, was settled by his father
deciding to sell his farm and other property, and that all should
move to this new location. So the following year we find them
all domiciled at Canandaigua, Ontario County, N. Y. Here, form-
ing a partnership with one Jefferson Moore, they erected a shop
and applied themselves to their trade of general carpenters and
builders, building dwellings and barns during the warm months of
the year, and in the winter months working at wood turning and
pattern making. While working in this shop, he made a pattern
for a very heavy, large piece of machinery which contained 3200
pieces of wood, closely fitted and glued together. It was a very
intricate and difficult piece of work^to perform, but when finished
it proved perfect in all its parts. This piece of work was ever
afterwards his boast and pride
" In the same year that lie settled in his new home, he met and
became acquainted with Ann (Ostrander) McCarty, a widow with
one child, a son five years old, by name, Levy. This acquaintance
terminated in his second marriage, after which they established
themselves in a home in Canandaigua and continued to live there
until 1840. In this year he rem. to Menominee Falls, a few miles
from Milwaukee, then having only a few hundred inhabitants, and
built a saw mill, but his means being limited he became foreman
of a large force of carpenters in Milwaukee. He then began a
building and contracting business for himself, but being pros-
trated by pneumonia he was compelled to desist for two years. In
1850 he rem. to Beloit, Wis., and established himself on new land,
but soon traded it for a home in Hanover and resumed the busi-
ness of a contractor.
" During his occupancy of this, his last place of residence in
Wisconsin, his public life really began. He had served as a Justice
of the Peace for two terms, which to all knowledge we have con-
stituted his only official work up to Ibis time; hut while living
here he was repeatedly elected, qualified and served the Township
of Plymouth Rock County, as Chairman of the Board of Super-
visors, and also as Justice of the Peace. Up to the year 1860, he
belonged to the Democratic Party, and during the administration
of President James Buchanan he was appointed and served as
Postmaster for Hanover Posl Office for one or more years. This
was about the years of 1857 ami L858. Bui while he had always,
through life, belonged to and was affiliated with the Democratic
parly, he was radically opposed to the further extension of slavery;
at that time this great question was the Leading issue in National
politic-; Douglas and Lincoln were having those memorable de-
bates throughout the country, the border ruffian war being carried
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS IIA.WKV 349
on at its fiercest stage, trying to decide as to whether Kansas
Territory should be received in the Union as a slave, or free state ;
and as Lincoln had said, it was taken up and made the slogan
of the struggle, that a nation cannot long endure, half free and half
slave. As his party had practically taken the side and lent their
support to the slave power of the country, he, at this stage, severed
his relations with the Democratic party and announced to the
world that henceforth he should affiliate with the Kepublican party.
Having made this radical declaration, he placed the seal upon it
by voting for Abraham Lincoln in 1860 for President. Notwith-
standing his change of political faith, the citizens of his Township
continued to call him to official positions, keeping him as the
Chairman of the Board of Supervisors; and during war times,
when drafting had to be resorted to to make up the quota of sol-
diers, he was engaged in enlisting men and having them credited
to his Township. By his vigilance in this matter he secured the
required number each time, and thus avoided a draft being made
from the citizens of his Township. He was also a fluent pub-
lic speaker; not in the sense of a polished orator, but recog-
nized as a very forcible debater. Possessing a large store of knowl-
edge, he was always ready to meet an opponent in debate at any
time.
Argumentative and logical, he almost always held his audience
under his control and they remained to hear his closing words.
In his private talks he was known and recognized as a very in-
teresting conversationalist.
" His children had now grown up, yet he had not sufficient lands
to supply them all with homes. Desiring that all should become
the owners in fee of homes, he sold his holdings in the fall of
1865, and the following spring he bade good bye to his old Wis-
consin neighbors and friends. In a covered wagon, with a part of
his family (his two older sons having gone on by rail), he tracked
600 miles southwest across the country, landing ;if the historic
town of Osawatomie, Miami County, Kansas, on the 25th day of
June, 1866. After looking around a few days, he located four
and a half miles southeast of the town on a new piece of land.
Being well advanced in years, and feeling thai ii would be greatly
beneficial from a business standpoint to his sons, and also a greal
relief to him, he retired from further active effort, stepped aside
and let the boys lead the way.
" His last years were spent in much reading and study, his
appetite for gleaning knowledge from books and all other sources
having in no wise in his advancing years become Lessened, being
relieved from all business can'-, surrounded by all the necessary
350 MIDDLETOW \ UPPER HOUSES
comforts of life, and constantly having by his side her who had
for nearly half a century shared the comforts and sorrows that
befell them, day by day, talking over the events of their past
lives, and over and over again, going through the reminiscences
which were associated with and were a part of their activities, sit-
ting side by side quietly looking out and noting the improvements
of the age, and knowing that their own children were moving with
the energetic throng in bringing about these changes, for which
the world is being made better and better day by day, and listen-
ing to the merry peals of laughter which came from the overflow
of mirth and joy expressed by playful grandchildren around them,
we must say that their last days were the happiest days of their
long and well-spent life, and that the. world had been made better
because they had lived in it.
" For thirty-five years he was a member of the Methodist church,
a class leader and Supt. of the S. S. "While never giving up his
membership, he late in life was led to accept the beliefs of Spirit-
ualism and had certain experiences which confirmed him in these
views.
" On the 8th day of April, 1888, just as the sun was sinking
to its rest in a clear western sky, with her who had been his
confidant for over half a century and with some of his children
standing by his bedside, the Angel of Death came and drew aside
the curtain that hangs between the mortal and immortal, and said,
'Come!' At this announcement, the soul of William Ranney
stepped across the boundary into another world.
" Not in words of rapturous shout.
But voiceless and noiseless the spirit goes out,
And stands in the presence of God, a child of Heaven new bora :
Like some petal flower opening out of the sod.
Greeting the sunlight of morn.
" In concluding, we have no apology to offer for the brief record
here chronicled. Much more, very much more, could be told; hut
being cognizant of the fact that space is limited in the biographical
record in which tin- is I" be placed, we have thought it proper to
use as Hi tie space as possible.
"But as a son, we feel that we could not properly say less of a
father, or in any other manner than we have given it."
. Children hi/ 1st marriage:
56] Daniel, b. 1829.
Pamelia, b. L831; m. .lame- Barnes, long time editor in
Grand Baven, Mich., where she d. Oct. 8, 1869.
The Georges kanmy House, Ashfield, Mas
(See page 20S)
James Si mneb Rannet
(See page 351 I
J] SSE RANNKY
(See page 262)
Luke Ran net
(See page 361 )
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 351
Children by 2d marriage:
562 Emily, b. Mar. 29, 1838; m. J. B. Vanalstine.
Phebe Ostrander, b. Nov., 1839 ; d. Sept., 1857.
563 William Ostrander, b. Oct. 24, 1841.
564 Andrew Jackson, b. July 24, 1844.
565 James Knox Polk, b. July 17, 1848.
566 Mary Ann, b. Aug. 31, 1850; m. Orville Niles.
319 Frederic Thompson 7 Eanney (brother to William), b. Mar.
12, 1821, Ashfield, Mass.; m. (1) Eliza Garrison, b. 1819;
d. 1854; m. (2) 1857, Frances Antill Bates, b. Dec. 26, 1839,
Hopeville, N. Y., dau. of Stephen Bates and Elizabeth Tappen,
who res. Greeley, Col. He rem. to Grand Haven, Mich., where
for many years he was engaged in the lumber trade and was very
prosperous. He d. Dec. 19, 1885. Widow res. Greeley, Col.
Children by 1st marriage:
Samuel Hall, b. Aug., 1844. Res. Detroit, Mich.
566a Mary Henrietta, b. Mar. 18, 1846 ; m. Albert D. Reade.
Children hi/ 2d marriage:
Frederick Tappen, b. Apr. 19, 1859. Res. Detroit, Mich.
567 Florence, b. June 10, 1862; m. Frank A. Draper.
567a Lewis Jay, b. July 27, 1872.
Elizabeth, b. May 16, 1875.
Frances, b. May 24, 1878 ; grad. 1898, Olivet Coll. with first
class honors. Took post grad. course. Teacher in High
School, Hoquiam, Wash.
320 James Sumner 7 Ranney (Jesse 6 , George 5 , George 4 , Thomas 3 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Sept. 15, 1799, Ashfield, Mass.; m. Sally
Andrews. In 1878 he rem. to Belding, Mich., where they lived
several years with a son and then with a daughter. He d. 1883,
Augusta, Mich. A James Ranney of Hartford, Conn., enl. in
reg. army in 1814. He did not use the Sumner name in early life.
Children :
568 Sarah Jane, b. Nov. 9, 1824; m. H. G. Woodard.
Caroline, b. ; m. (1) Alden; (2) Young.
569 William Edwin, b. Mar. 6, 1827.
570 Charles Sumner, b. 1829.
571 James Hamilton, b. Mar. 30, 1831.
352 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Elizabeth, b. July 13, 1835; m. July, 1851, Israel W. Field,
b. 1823, Conway, Mass.; d. Dec. 27, 1863, Conway, Mass.
Builder, Baptist. Widow res. in Hartford, Conn.
Children :
Eleanor J., b. Jan. 29, 1856 ; m. C. G. Fisher. Res. Hart-
ford, Conn.
Edgar J., b. Feb. 10, 1860; m. Gertrude Judd. Res.
Hartford, Conn.
572 Austin Sherman, b. Dec. 31, 1840.
573 Salvador Otis, b. Sept. 15, 1846.
321 Charles 7 Ranney (brother of James Sumner), b. Dec. 4,
1803, Ashfield, Mass.; m. (1) Jan. 1, 1839, Sarah Hall, b. May 9,
1814; d. Dec. 31, 1844; m. (2) Mrs. Nancy Davis, who d. 1869,
Ashfield. He was a farmer, carrying his produce over the Hoo?ac
Mountains to Albany, N. Y. He d. Apr. 14, 1869, Conway, Mass.
children by 1st marriage:
Martha, b. July 13, 1841 ; m. July 29,' 1869, Theodore Wood,
who d. July 2, 1890. Jeweler. She res. Shelburne
Falls, Mass.
George, b. Aug. 8, 1843 ; m. June, 1874, Mary Wilson, who
d. Nov. 27, 1879. He d. Aug. 14, 1902, Belding, Mich.
Children by 2d marriage:
5T4 Charles Thomas, b. June 17, 1848.
575 Frederick Eli, b. July 2, 1853.
322 Hannah 7 Ranney (sister of James Sumner), b. Dec. 15,
1805, Ashfield, Mass.; m. Nov., 1827, "Thanksgiving Day,"
Richard Ellis, b. Mar. 20, 1805, Ashfield, son of Dimick Ellis and
Polly Annable. He settled in Pittstown, N. Y. ; rem. 1844, to
Mich., being 21 days on the journey. Settling at lidding, where
he organized a "Christian " church, of which he was deacon. He
was a prominent man in the community. He d. Mar. 26, 1878.
Shed. Feb. L2, 1891, Belding, Mich.
Children :
576 Charles Dimick, b. Sept. 24, 1829.
577 Erastus Ranney, b. Mar. 3, L832.
323 Erastus 7 Ranne} (brother to -lames Sumner), b. Oct. 8,
1807, Ashfield, Mass.; m. — . Rem. early to Eaton
Rapids Mich. He d. Dec. 20, 1893.
I >KSC KXDANTS OF THOMAS I.WNXKY 353
ChihJr< n :
Charles, b. . Ees. Eaton Rapids, Mich.
Clementina, b. ; d. 1887.
324 Amanda 7 Eanney (sister to James Sumner), b. Aug. 17,
1809; d. Oct. 19, 1884; m. (1) 1829, Elijah Richmond, a promi-
nent merchant of Shelburne Falls, Mass.; m. (2) Wilson Elmer.
Children :
James Otis, b. ; d. infancy.
578 Alanson Andrews, b. Dec. 29, 1829.
Diadama, b. ; m. Joseph Whiting of Buckland,
Mass.
Lucretia, b. ; m. Darwin Ware of Buckland,
Mass.
325 Edwin 7 Eanney (brother to James Sumner), b. July 25,
1811, Ashfield, Mass.; m. Jan. 29, 1844, Pittstown, N. Y., Eliza
Button, b. Feb. 20, 1825, Pittstown; d. May 5, 1868, Belding,
Mich., dau. of Jesse L. Button and Abbey E. Thurber. He was
a cooper and rem. to Pittstown, thence to Hungerford, Mich.,
where he d. June 25, 1895.
Children :
579 Edwin Jesse, b. Dec. 11, 1844.
580 Marcia Abbie, b. Nov. 15, 1850 ; m. A. W. Smith.
581 Alvor Milton, b. Oct. 25, 1847.
581a Franklin B., b. Sept. 21, 1854.
Lowden John, b. June 14, 1858, unm. Ees. on a ranch,
Craig, Col.
581b Cora Eliza, b. Apr. 11, 1865.
581c Charles Allen, b. May 1, 1868.
326 Ruth Ann 7 Rannev (sister to James Summer), b. June 24,
1820, Ashfield, Mass.; m. Nov. 8, 1839, Svlvester Woodbridge
Hall, b. Aug. 5, 1816, Ashfield, Mass.; d. July 21, ISO!), Green-
field, Mass. He was a blacksmith by trade, but became a building
mover, residing in Conwav, Sherburne Falls, and Greenfield;
Rep. and Baptist; she. Baptist, d. July 2. 1897.
Children :
William Harrison, b. May I. L843; m. Sept. 1.~. 1869,
Juliette Elder. Children:
Millie L., b. July 21, 1871; m. Sept. 28, 1892, Carroll
Denison. Four children.
354 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Charles L., b. May 21, 1873; m. Dec. 2, 1897, Amelia
Schuler. Have one child.
Elizabeth E., b. Feb. 24, 1875; m. June 14, 1899, Charles
Warner. One child.
Lillian J., b. 1882; m. July 2, 1904, Edward Derens.
Geo. William, b. May 30, 1890.
Ella Adelle, b. Aug. 29, 1845; m. Jan. 8, 1867, David G.
G. Baker. Seven children. Res. Guilford, Vt.
Eva Adaline, b. Jan. 12, 1847; m. (1) 1865, Arthur A.
Smead, who d. 1876; m. (2) 1890, Newton C. Car-
penter. Five children.
Edwin Sylvester, b. Feb. 5, 1850; m. May 1, 1876, Hattie
Sophia Robbins, b. July 4, 1849, Deerfield, Mass., dau.
of Geo. Washington Robbins and Roxana Harriet Cush-
man; contractor and builder; res. Greenfield, Mass.,
Child:
Hattie Mabel, b. Feb. 21. 1879.
Alice Ulana, b. Aug. 4, 1852; d. July 17, 1891; m. Edgar
A. Dow.
327 Samuel Allen 7 Rannev (Joseph 6 , George 5 , George 4 , George 3 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Sept. 7, 1811, Chatham, Conn.; m. Sept.
15, 1836, Ashfield, Mass., Flora Selden, b. Aug. 21, 1817, Ash-
field; d. May 14, 1888; dau. of Jesse Selden and Deborah Guer-
ney. He was a farmer and mfr. in Goshen, Mass., and d. Apr.
13, 1897, Ashfield.
Children:
582 Joseph Lvman, b. Apr. 6, 1838.
Mary, b. Jan. 28, 1840; d. Jan. 13, 1846.
Willis, b. Nov. I. 1841; d. Oct. 10, 1842.
583 Edward Willis, b. Aug. 9. L843.
Mary Ella, b. Mar. 3, 1849; d. Aug. 28, 1850.
584 Josephine Idella, b. Nov. 9, 1851; m. Nelson Martin
Waldon.
328 Sarah Amelia 7 Ranney (sister to Samuel Allen), l>. Nov.
18, 1818, Ashfield, Mass.; m. Aug. 25, L845, Levi ('. Kingman,
b. Mar. 15, 1819, Goshen. Mass.; mechanic and tool maker;
rem. 1846 to Ashfield, 1856 to Northampton, Mass.. where hn d.
Feb. 26, 1899. She d. July 12, 1889.
Children:
585 Elbridge Allyn, b. Aug. L5, 1847.
Augusta Fidelia, b. Dec. 24, 1852; unm.; res. Northamp-
ton.
Samuel Allen Ranney
Mrs. SaBAH AMELIA (R.VNNEY)
Kingman
(See page 354)
Mbs. Eliza Ann i Ranney
Kingman
Mbs. Sabba I Ranni i Ku m vjidson
(See page 355
Mas. Stella Fisk-Foresteb
(See page 192)
Mi:-. I'i i \ \ (RaNNEY) I I \ w I
(See page 240)
MBS. I i V.BISSA (Ranney) Park b
i S( •■ page "■•"•■"•I
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 355
329 Eliza Ann 7 Eanney (sister to Samuel Allen), b. Sept. 9,
1820, Ashfield, Mass.; m. Sept., 1842, Samuel Kinsman, b. June
16, 1816, Goshen, Mass., farmer, who d. Apr. 24. 1903. So. Ash-
field. She d. June, 1881, Cummin-ton, Mass. No children.
330 Sabra 7 Eanney (sister to Samuel Allen), b. Dec. 26, 1828,
Ashfield, Mass.; m. May 24. 18-18, Oscar Eichardson, b. Aug.
21, 1821, Conwav, Mass., farmer, private Co. D, 52d Eeg., Mass.
Vols., 1862-63; Meth., Sep.; d. Dec. 28, 1896, So. Ashfield.
Widow res. So. Ashfield.
Children:
Alice Emma, b. Apr. 25, 1853; m. Herbert Ehvin Church.
Child:
Austin E., b. Dec. 12. 1886; res. So. Ashfield. Mass.
William Henry, b. June 27, 1856; unm.; res. Northamp-
ton, Mass.
Hattie Maria, b. Aug. 24, 1862; m. Mar. 27, 1883, Irving
Smith Walden, b. Mar. 27, 1857, farmer. No children.
Ees. So. Ashfield, Mass.
331 Clarissa 7 Eanney (sister to Samuel Allen), b. Dec. 7, 1832 ?
Ashfield. Mass.; m. Oct. 7, 1855, Calvin Thomas Parker, b.
Nov. 21, 1816, New Salem, Mass.; d. Feb. 8, 1902, No. Adam,.
Mass., machinist. She d. Sept. 5, 1892.
Children:
Henry L., b. Sept. 25, 1857 ; d. Dec. 21, 1859.
Frederick T., b. Apr. 7, 1859 ; d. Mar. 26, 1860.
Walter George, b. Aug. 28. 1868; m. Jan. 15, 1896, Marga-
ret Elizabeth Jones, b. Nov. 4, 1869, No. Adams, Ma*s.,
dau. of David Jones and Anne Burhan; machinist:
res. No. Adams, Mass. Children:
Lloyd Lester, b. June 22, 1897.
Stanlev Walter, b. Jan. 21, 1900.
Donald Earl, b. May 5, 1902.
332 Calista 7 Jepson (Esther 8 Eanney, George 5 . George 4 , George".
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Aug. 16, 1821, Ashfield, Mass. : m. Feb.
10, 1841. Leonard Harvev Blanden, b. Mar. 27, 1824, Watertown,
Mass., who d. May 24, 1892. Springfield, Mass., where she d. Oct.
7, 1887.
Children:
Charles Henrv, b. Sept. 13, 1851; d. Sept. 13, 1851.
Lucie Marietta, b. Dec. 12, 1852.
356 MIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES
George Herbert, b. Dec. 6, 1854; clerk, Pep., Cong., F. &
A. M., I. 0. 0. F.; res. Springfield, Mass.
Clara Isabella, b. Nov. 29, 1856.
Henry Herschel, b. Oct. 19, 1858.
333 Alonzo Franklin 7 Panney (George 6 , George 5 , George 4 ,
George 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Sept. 13, 1812, Ashfield, Mass.;
m. (1) July 27, 1837, Phelps, N. Y., Damaris Abigail Peck, b.
May 4, 1815, Phelps, N. Y., dau. of Horace Peck, of Conn., and
Seba Chapman, of Mass., who d. Jan. 12, 1847; m. (2) Sept.,
1848, Louisa Pace, who d. Jan. 26, 1870; m. (3) Feb., 1871,
Antanette Cline, who d. Apr. 1903. He rem. to Phelps, N". Y.,
where he d. Sept. 24, 1901 ; farmer, Rep., Bapt., F. & A. M.
Children by 1st marriage:
586 Henry Sears, b. Julv 10, 1838.
587 Horace Peck, b. June 15. 1840.
588 Ella Isabel, b. Apr. 17, 1844; m. H. McBurney.
Child by 2d marriage:
589 Emory Dayton, b. May' 10, 1857.
334 Henry Sears 7 Rannev (brother to Alonzo Franklin), b.
Mar. 5, 1817, Ashfield, Mass. ; m. (1) June 20, 1844, Maria
Jane Goodwin, b. 1822; d. Jan. 14, 1855; dau. of Anson Good-
win; m. (2) June 26, 1856, Julia A. Bassett, b. ; d.
Aug. 25, 1890; dau. of Francis Bassett. In early life he was a
merchant on Ashfield Plains, was in business in Boston for four
years, ret. to Ashfield, where he was town clerk and merchant
for over forty years. He compiled the Ranney data for the Ellis
Family of Ashfield. d. Jan. 23, 1899.
Children by 1st marriage:
Ralph Henry, b. Mar. 26, 1845; d. Oct. 30, 1876; m.
Juno 11, 1868, Rosa Sarah Bassett, b. May 7, 1843,
Ashfield, dau. of Francis Bassett and Mehetable Ford;
private Co. F, 34th Reg., Mass. Vols.; widow res.
Ashfield, Mass. Children:
(Mara Maria. 1». Jan. 28, L869; num.
Raymond Ralph, b. July 29, 1871 ; F. & A. M., U. S. mail
carrier; umii.; res. Springfield, Mass.
Ella Le Mira, b. Sept. 24, L847; d. Dec. 81; 1874; m. Al-
bert W. Packard. Children:
Austin Goodwin, b. .
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 357
Ella. b. ■- — : .
Clara Maria, b. Aug. 2, 1851 ; d. Sept. 28, 1855.
George Goodwin, b. May 22, 1853; d. Sept. 9, 1853.
335 Lucius 7 Ranney (brother to Alonzo Franklin), b. Apr. 12,
1819, Ashfield, Mass.; m. Nov. 1819, Rome, Mich.. Clarissa A.
Wilcox, b. June, 1830, Dearborn, Mich.; d. Dec. 10, 1893, Allen,
Mich.; dau. of Albert Wilcox, b. 1802, Berkshire Co., Mass.
He d. Apr. 4, 1894, Allen, Mich, where he was farmer, and town
treasurer, Rep., and Meth.
Child:
Caroline E., b. Sept., 1850; d. Feb. 2, 1858.
335a Priscilla Minerva 7 Ranney (sister to Alonzo Franklin),
b. Jan. 19, 1822, Ashfield, Mass.; m. Sept., 1847, Allen, Mich.,
Randolph Densmore, b. 1802. Hopewell, N. Y.; d. 1878, St.
Ignace, Mich. ; lumberman and mfr., having rem. 1840, to Mich.
Widow res. Allen, Mich.
Child:
Mary, b. Nov., 1849 ; d. Aug., 1852.
336 Harrison Jackson 7 Ranney (brother to Alonzo Franklin),
b Mar 4 1824, Ashfield, Mass.; m. Jan. 10, 1856, Quiney, Mich..
Helen McConnell, b. Aug. 7, 1831, Penn Yan, N. Y.; d Jan.
24, 1892, Clearwater, Minn.; dau. of James McConnell and
Sarah Swartout; farmer and merchant, F. & A. M., Rep.; rem.
about 1872, from Hillsdale, Mich., to Clearwater, Minn., where
ho d. Sept. 27, 1906.
Children:
590 Frank Herbert, b. Apr. 15, 1857.
591 Fred Albert, b. May 29, 1859.
592 Mary Minetta, b. Mar. 13, 1861; m. Chas. D. Whittemore.
Grace Adel, b. Dec. 10, 1876 ; d. Jan. 15, 1877.
337 Lemuel Sears 7 Ranney (brother to Alonzo Franklin), b.
Jan 17, 1831, Ashfield, Mass.; m. May 24, 1882. Hillsdale Mich
Margaret Gilmore, b. Jan. 29, 1843, Hillsdale, Mich., dau. of
Samuel Gilmore and Mary Swift. He is the only surviving son
of George Rannev. The'father dying in 1842 the family rem.
1843, to Allen, Mich, where his only sister, Mrs. Priscilla M
Dinsmore resides now on the old farm. In 1852 Mr Ranney went
to California, and spent three years in mining. Returning he
purchased a farm in Hillsdale, but in 1859 he returned to the gold
re-ions of California, Nevada, and Oregon. In 1867 he returned
358 MIDDLETOWN" UPPER HOUSES
to Hillsdale and purchased a farm, but later rem. to the city, where
he now resides. For six years he was supervisor of Hillsdale
Township, has been alderman, and member, 1875, of the Legis-
lature. Since 1895 he has been a County Supt. of the Poor. He
is a Rep., and has taken the higher Masonic degree-. Attends the
Meth. Ch. His wife is mem. 0. E. S. Res. Hillsdale, Mich.
Child:
Samuel Owen, b. June 25, 1883.
338 Anson Bement 7 Ranney (brother to Alonzo Franklin), b.
May 31, 1833. Ashfield, Mass.; m. Aug. 15, 1855, Hillsdale.
Mich., Caroline Baggerly, b. Oct. 16, 1838, Phelps, N. Y., dan.
of John "Weslev Bag^erlv and Elizabeth Crain; farmer. Corporal
Co. G, 30th Reg.. Mich. Vols.. Dec. 3, 1864— June 17, 1865;
Rep.; d. Mar. 24, 1886, Allen. Mich. Widow and onlv son res.
Hillsdale, Mich.
Child:
Everett Levant, b. June 8, 1856; m. Dec, 1881, Harriet
King, who d. Oct., 1889. Travelling salesman. Res.
Hillsdale, Mich.
339 Horace 7 Ranney (RoswelP, Thomas 5 , George 4 , George 3 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. May 22, 1803, Ashfield, Mass.; m. Sept. 24,
1834, Waity Phillips, b. Apr. 14, 1802, Springfield, Mass., dau. of
Simeon Phillips. Soon rem. to Phelps, N. Y., and in 1839, to
Penfield, N. Y., occupying a farm of 100 acres, erecting good build-
ings, setting out maples by the roadside, planting extensive or-
chards. Public spirited, but declining to accept office. Unlike the
family in general he had dark eyes, of slender build, of a quiet
nature. He died Nov. 24, 1867. The widow d. Feb. 12, 1899,
being the oldest person in town, and was known as "Grandma
Ranney."
Children:
Infant, b. Oct. 16, 1836 ; d. — .
Infant, b. Apr. 19, 1838 ; d. .
Irinda Mary Eliza, b. Mar. 11. L840, unm. Res. Penfield.
N. Y. Has contributed to the Roswell Ranney lineage.
Waity Charlotte Almira, b. Apr. 12, 1842; d. Oct. 30, 1896.
Horace, l>. Nov. 4, is 11. IVnlicld, N. V.; in. Apr. 5, L889,
Avon, N. Y., Elizabeth Luitwiller, b. A.ng. 15. 1856,
Rochester, N. Y., dan. of Benry and Elizabeth Luit-
willer from Switzerland. Farmer; Granger; Prohib.;
Meth.: no children. Res. lVnlidd, N. Y.
I ECU. -T. Ranney
(See page 3S4)
Daniel Eoixand Rannej
(See page 323)
Lafayette Ranney
(See page 277)
Db. 6i obge Era by Ranney
page 162)
Madison i!.\ \ \i v
(Si • page 359)
• I UHES \l \Iiimi\ \\ cdii \i
I Si • page 196)
Willis M mhmi\ Ranne>
(Sei
I \i;lu\ \ Mi Mil DK1 U W i
(Sei page 197)
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS KANNEY 359
340 Willis 7 Panney (brother to Horace), b. Sept. 22 1805,
Ashfield, Mass.; m. Nov. 8, 1837, Hagerstown, Md Sophia A.
Leight, b. July 8, 1811, Hagerstown, d. June 20, 1887, Louisv.lU-.
Kv! dau. of Benjamin Leight and Catherine James, and was
mem Presby. ch. Willis Ranney studied at Dartmouth, taught
school in New York. Kern, to Louisville, Ky., and entered upon
the queensware business with Samuel Cassidy, making trips to
Europe for the firm, going in a sailing vessel. After some years
he went into the dry goods business. He became Sec. and lreas.
of the Louisville and Nashville R. R. Co., which position he held
for twenty-seven years and until a stroke of partial paralysis un-
fitted him for business. He was never asked to file a bond as
security He was pensioned by the company for the remainder
of his life, which was eight years. He d. Dec. 3, 1893. In politics
he had been an old-line Whig, then a Democrat, and bis sympathies
strengthened with Kentucky ideas. He was a mem. of Epis. ch.
Children :
593 Sophie, b. Sept. 11, 1838; m. Preston Rogers.
Ella b Au"-. 4, 1840, unm. Pes. Louisville, Kv.
Benj. Willis, b. May 11, 1842; d. July 28. 1847.
594 Sarah Leight, b. June 8, 1844; m. F. L. Davis.
595 Edward Ellicott, b. Aug. 25, 1857.
'341 Clarissa 7 Kanney (sister to Horace), b Oct. 3, 1807, Ash-
field, Mass.; m. Sept. 24, 1834, Wait Bement, Esq., Ashfield. She
d. Mar. 16, 1849.
Children:
Daughter, b. Oct. 26, 1835; died in a week
Clara Isabella, b. Mar. 10, 1840; d. Dec 31 1841
Maria Louise, b. Feb. 5, 1844; m. Oct 16, 1872 Lewis
Strong Ingraham; d. Apr. 18, 1907. W Ldow res. Spring-
field, Mass. Child:
Clara Martha, b. Aug. 20, 1878; grad. 1902, Smith Coll.,
also at Westfield State Normal School ; is a teacher.
342 Madison 7 Panney (brother to Horace), b Oct. 9, 1809,
Ashfield, Mass.; m. Sept. 9, 1840 Brattleboro, ^t, Mary Adeline
Carv b Julv 8, 1816, Chesterfield, N. H., who d. Mar 31, 18<7,
L y Framingham, Mass. He res. in Brattleboro, Vt Worcester
Mass., Boston, Mass., and So. Framingham where : for J 5 year,
he was station, freight and express agent for the Bo.ton and
Albany P. P. Co. and until his death, May 20, 1876.
360 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Children:
Mary Emma, b. July 9, 1844; d. Jan. 5, 1851.
596 Willis Madison, b. Feb. 3, 1846.
Charles Henry, b. June 29, 1854; unm., Bank clerk. Res.
Boston, Mass.
Mary Emily, b. Aug. 20, 1856 ; d. July 8, 1889 ; m. Frank
Ashley Day. Broker. Res. Boston, Mass. Child:
Helen Ranney Day, b. Feb. 17, 1881, Roxbury, Mass.; m.
Apr. 20, 1904, Major Carlo Montanari of the Italian
Army. Child:
Franco Vittorio Montari, b. July 22, 1905, at 510
Fanteria leone, di Calabria, Italy.
Enma Maria, b. Mar. 9, 1907.
343 Mary 7 Ranney (sister to Horace), b. Oct. 9, 1814, Ash-
field, Mass. ; m. Apr. 23, 1839, Dr. Milo Wilson, b. Nov. 7, 1807,
Shelburne, Mass. He practiced in Ashfield to 1850, when he rem.
to Shelburne Falls, where he d. Sept. 28, 1875. She d. Nov., 1877.
Children:
597 Marv Ellen, b. Aug. 14, 1840; m. Dr. C. E. Severance.
Isabella, b. Mar. 17, 1843 ; d. Nov. 12, 1845.
George M., b. May 6, 1849 ; d. Aug. 6, 1852.
598 Charles Milo, b. Feb. 19, 1852.
344 Hiram 7 Ranney (brother to Horace), b. Aug. 7, 1819, Ash-
field, Mass. ; m. Jan. 7, 1841, Sarah Smith, dau. of Lucius Smith.
He settled on his father's farm, a couple miles out from Phelps,
N. Y., and succeeded to the ownership in 1848. In 1862 he rem.
about 25 miles to a 120 acre grain and stock farm in a settlement
known as " Egypt." Here he made a success of fattening stock
for the market. He died Jan. 6, 1897, of pneumonia, having
survived his wife a few years.
Children :
Amanda, b. June 7, 1842; m. Apr. 26, L866, William Van
Denmark, who d. Oct. 23, L896. sin- res. in Rochester,
N. Y. Children:
Willis Ranney, b. Oct. 12, 1873; m. Oct. 13, 1904, Flor-
ence Eglantine Curtiss, a grad. of Vassar. He grad.
;it Cornell, and practices law in Rochester, N. Y.
Howard Montague, l>. -July 13, ISS1, num.: grad. Pratt
In-!.. Brooklyn, N. V'. Res. Brooklyn, N. Y.
Roswell, b. June 18, 1844; m. Feb. L6, L875, Clara Lyman
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 361
Dunbar. Ees. on homestead at Fairport, N. Y. Chil-
Ellen Howard, b. Sept. 30, 1876 ; m. Dec. 4, 1895, Ralph
Knapp. Res. Fairport, N. Y. Children:
Dorothy Ranney, b. May 5, 1898.
Ruth, b. June 23, 1900.
Carl Hiram, b. Feb. 23, 1880. Served in U. S. Navy,
1901-1905. Res. Fairport, N. Y.
Edith Sarah, b. Apr. 5, 1884, teacher.
Clara Dunbar, b. May 1, 1887.
Mary Louise, b. Dec. 3, 1888.
Hiram Francis, b. Feb. 8, 1892.
Mary Lucretia, b. June 14, 1851; d. July, 1880; m. Sept.
"5, 1870, William Wool worth Howard.
Ellen Sarah, b. Sept. 30, 1854; d. Feb., 1890; m. Sept. 14,
1876, Eli Barnum Sanford.
Emma D., b. Apr. 5, 1858 ; m. June 13, 1895, Jerome Wool-
sey, Macedon, N. Y., b. Jan. 24, 1846, son of Lorenzo
and Martha Woolsey; res. Macedon, N. Y.
345 Luke 7 Ranney (William 6 , Thomas 5 , George 4 , George 3 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Nov. 8, 1815, Ashfield, Mass.; m. May,
1844, Rebecca Lyon, dau. of-Dea. Cyrus Lyon of Weedsport, JN. *.
He was a very prominent citizen of Eldridge, N. Y., being super-
visor in 1857, mem. of Legislature in 1858, 1865, 1867, being
recognized as a leading debater.
Child:
Frank F., b. , 1846, farmer ; res. Elbridge, N. Y.
Child:
Luke F., died while a College student.
346 Francis 7 Ranney (Giles 6 , Francis 5 , George*, George 3 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Apr. 8, 1800, So. Ashfield Mass.; m (1)
Dec. 25, 1823, Thankful Clark, b. ; d. O ct 1, 1831,
sister to Alvan Clark, maker of telescopes; m. (2) Jan. 18, 18M,
Anna Howes, b. July 23, 1801; d. May 22, 1893, dau of Zechanah
Howes and Lavina Sears. They celebrated their golden wedding
Jan. 19, 1882. He d. Feb. 24, 1885, she May 22, 1893.
(^lli/ldvBTl '
Francis Lyman, b. Nov. 16, 1832; d. May 2 1868 North-
ampton, Mass.; m. Jan. 24, 1867, Julia Elizabeth
Clarke, b. Mar. 13, 1837, dau. of James Lyman Clarke
and Elizabeth Parsons. A child died young.
362 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOJSES
599 Nathan Howes, b. Sept. 12, 1835.
600 Henry Charles, b. June 29, 1838.
601 Anna Thankful, b. Sept. 28, 1811 ; in. Lyman Albert Brad-
ford.
347 Mary 7 Eanney (sister to Francis), b. Oct. 3, 1810, Ashfield,
Mass. ; m. May 25, 1832, Alvan Dyer, b. Nov. 6, 1809 ; d. May 20,
1898, Ashfield; farmer, Rep. She d. Apr. 11, 1868.
Children :
Cornelia Mary, b. Sept. 17, 1833 ; d. Dec. 7, 1863 ; m. Dwight
Thayer.
Willis Alvan. b. Nov. 6, 1836; d. Sept. 7, 1869: m. Jeannette
Culver.
Benjamin Morris, b. June 6, 1841; d. Apr. 27, 1907; m.
'Nov. 1, 1871, Lois Howes Williams, b. Jan. 17, 1848,
Ashfield, dau. of Ephraim William?, 2d., and Mary
Lucretia Woodward. Widow res. Ashfield. Children:
Willis Ephraim, b. Mar. 22, 1863; m. June 7, 1894, Ella
May Cole, b. Oct. 7, 1869; res. Ashfield. Child:
Ruby May, b. Feb. 4, 1901.
Chauncey Leander, b. Feb. 2, 1876; m. Dec. 25, 1897,
Maud L. Church, b. Nov. 7, 1874; no children; res.
Ashfield, Mass.
Walter James, b. Nov. 15, 1879 ; m. Jan. 1, 1906, Florence
M. Gardner; res. Ashfield.
Lydia Ann, b. July 1, 1846; m. John Sykes.
348 James Allen 8 Ranney (brother to Francis), b. Jan. 28,
1813, Ashfield, Mass.; m. Sept. 24, 1839, Henrietta Hayden De
Wolf, b. Feb. 29, L816, dau. of John and Joanna Wright De
Wolf: Farmer; d. Sept. 5, 1882, Ashfield.
Children:
Edgar Warham, b. Oct. 4, 1840 ; d - — .
John Lucius, b. Nov. 4, 1841; d. Oct. 29, 1861.
I '.lien Elizabeth, b. July 27, 1845. Res. Detroit. Mich.
602 Darwin Allen, 1.. Mav 8, 1847.
Estelle Isabella, b. Dec. 20, L850; d. Oct. 21, L876.
Lewis Francis, b. June 9. L858; num. Res. Ashfield, Mass.
349 Charles 8 Ranney (brother to Francis), b. Dec. in, 1816,
Ashfield, Mass.; d. Oct. 26, L894; m. Nov. 3, L840, Eliza Smith.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 363
Children :
Horace.
Hiram, b. Nov. 1, 1846; d. Sept. 10, 1900; m. Mar. 3, 1875,
Celia Newell, who res. So. Hadley, Mass. Children:
Howard Austin, b. May 27, 1880.
Clayton Newell, b. Oct. 7, 1894.
350 Joel 7 Eanney (Daniel , Francis 5 , George 3 , George 3 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Feb. 6, 1807, Ashfield, Mass.; m. Nov. 5,
1829, Bethany, N. Y., Elizabeth Peck Champlain, b. July 29,
1811; d. Feb. 19, 1902, Lansing, Mich., dau. of Isaac Champlain
(descended from Samuel Champlain, who in 1609 discovered the
lake named in his honor), and Sarah Peck. He was a farmer,
Whig and Meth., residing in Ashfield, Le Roy and Bethany, N. Y.
and Eaton Rapids, Mich., where he died Apr. 16, 1851.
Children :
Elizabeth Jane, b. Oct. 24, 1832 ; d. May 6, 1903 ; m. John
Morris, who d. in 1893.
603 Dr. Hezekiah Bartlett, b. June 7, 1834.
604 Dr. Geo. Emery, b. June 13, 1839.
John Sears, b. Aug. 13, 1841; d. unm. Sept. 1, 1901. In
1869 he was seriously injured in a railroad accident at
Port Jervis, N. J. ; conducted a drug store in St. John's,
Mich. ; rem. to Chicago and did a large business in real
estate; was a companionable preson.
351 Ozias 7 Eanney (brother to Joel), b. Oct. 13, 1817, Ashfield,
Mass.; m. Dec. 14, 1842, Stafford, N. Y., Abbie Bethiah Northrup,
b. Rome, N. Y. ; d. Apr. 6, 1873, Stafford, dau. of Joshua Nortb-
rup and Harriet Ward. He was a farmer and d. Feb. 18, 1847,
Stafford.
Child:
Marian Charlotte, b. Mar. 9, 1845 ; m. Feb. 20, 1867, Adel-
bert William Reddish, b. May 7, 1842, Warsaw, N. Y.,
Corporal Co. A, 9th New York Cav., Sept., 1861-Aug.,
1865; res. Rokeby, Neb. Children:
Oscar Dudlcv, b. Aug. 17, 1875, unm.
Clarence Victor, b. Aug. 9, 18;!>: m. Apr. 12, 1904, Mary
Grimm, b. Apr. 4, 1876, dau. of Henry Grimm and
Elizabeth Sutter.
351a John Alden 7 Rannev (Luther 6 , Francis 5 , George 4 , <irorge 3 ,
Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Feb. 6, 1828, Ashfield, Mas,: m. Oct. 33,
364 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
1847, Caroline Whittemore Belding, b. Aug. 28, 1828, Ashfield,
Mass, d. Feb. 21, 1894, Santa Fe, New Mex., dau. of David Belding
and Betsy Thayer, both of Ashfield. Contractor, Rep., Univ. Res.
Salina, Kan.
Children :
Darwin David, b. Sept. 5, 1850; m. May 20, 1875, Sarah
Mark. Res. Utah.
604a Carrie Eloise, b. Feb. 8, 1854; m. Charles A. Frederick.
604b John Alden, b. Dec. 1, 1859.
Alda Gertrude, b. June 8, 1862; d. Aug. 9, 1871.
Lillian Agnes, b. Sept. 3, 1865 ; m. James Lester,. He d.—
She res. Council Bluff, la.
Bessie Grace, b. July 25, 1868; d. Oct. 2, 1870.
352 Luther Boardman 7 Ranney (Comfort 6 , Comfort 5 , Nathan-
iel*, Nathaniel 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Nov. 28, 1809, Hudson,
O.; d. Nov. 10, 1890, Hudson; m. (1) Jan. 12, 1833, Richfield, O.,
Sally Maria Carter, b. ; d. July 29, 1846; m. (2)
Apr! 6, 187—, Caroline Clapp, b. ; d. May 26, 1S95.
dau. of Richard Clapp and Anna Alvord from North Thompson,
Mass. After Mr. Ranney's father's death the farm was sold out of
the family, and desiring to regain it he went to work for Deacon
Hudson for $5 a month. In due time he purchased the farm
whereon he had been born and he lived on it till his death, leaving
it to a son and daughter, both of whom reside on it; the name
" Floramen " being descriptive of its features. It is a well-culti-
vated farm. Mr. Ranney was well versed in the Bible, and having
a retentive memory he seemed to have learned it by heart. His
portrait shows him as he was at 80 years of age.
Children by 1st marriage:
Martha Ann, b. Feb. 27, 1834; d. num. July 3, 1855.
Mary Elizabeth, b. Jan. 23, 1836; m. Willis Leach,
605 Comfort, b. Feb. 7, 1838.
Barriel Sophia, b. Sept. 5, L841; d. Apr. L2, L907; m.
Leach, who res. Elsie, Mich.
Sarali Marin, b. .Ian. 30, 1X1 I, num.; res. on the farm with
hei brother, Luther Kdsey.
Julia Ann, li. Jan. B3, 1848; m.'.l. K. Criss.
606 Luther Kelsey, b. Aug. 19, 1856.
606a Carrie May, b. May 3, L858; m. Oct., is;:, W. II. Evans.
353 Ruth Leonora' Ranney (sister to Luther Boardman), b.
Dec. 12, L815, Budson, O. ; m. June 7, L835, Eiram Volney Bron-
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 365
son, b. Dec. 12, 1811, Hudson, 0.; d. Nov. 1, 1881, son of Herman
Bronson and Mary Hickok from Connecticut. She d. Oct. 29,
1904, Peninsula, 6.
Children :
607 Lucy M., b. 1838 ; m. Dec. 12, 1871, Plimmon Henry Dudley.
608 Emily, b. May 7, 1843 ; m. Arthur Latham Conger.
Herman, b. Aug. 15, 1846; m. Elizabeth Hazlett; res.
Chicago, 111.
354 Elizabeth Jerusha 7 Eannev (sister to Luther Boardman),
b. Dec. 29, 1817, Hudson, 0.; d. Feb. 20, 1900, Cleveland, O.; m,
Apr. 19, 1837, John Ephraim Hulburt, b. Aug. 10, 1815, Madrid,
N. Y. ; d. July 4, 1885, Cleveland. Merchant, Cong., Kep.
Children :
Mary Elizabeth, b. June 17, 1838; d. Oct. 10, 1861; m. Sept.
12, 1859, Alfred Titus Newton. Children:
Nellie, b. June 17, 1860; d. May, 1883.
Elizabeth Maria, b. Oct. 3, 1861, m. Oct. 17, 1885, John
Havelock Early; d. May 17, 1905. Children:
Margaret, b. Apr. 18, 1890.
John Hurlbut, b. Sept. 26, 1891.
John Abiram, b. Sept. 12, 1842 ; d. unm. Feb. 3, 1864.
Edmund Eanney, b. Aug. 28, 1845 ; m. Apr. 22, 1867, Emily
Josephine Aldrich. Child:
Alice May, b. July 6, 1879.
Eva Maria, b. Aug. 13, 1853; m. Oct. 3, 1877, Frank L.
Ford, b. Jan. 26, 1853; d. Sept. 28, 1897. Insurance,
Bep., Cong. Widow res. Cleveland, O. Children:
Florence Jeannette, b. July 29, 1878.
Elizabeth Eanney, b. July 6, 1882.
Frank Hulburt, b. July 3, 1884; d. Oct. 16, 1884.
Hulburt Ashman, b. Nov. 10, 1887.
Denison, b. Feb. 18, 1890.
355 Moses 7 Eanney (brother to Luther Boardman), b. Aug. 12,
L819, Boston, O.; d. June 24, 1895, Macedonia, O.; m. Mar. 20,
1843, Cleveland, O., Miranda Eogers b. Oct. 23, 1826, dau. of
Whitelaw Eogers, and Martha Thayer of Vt. The widow in good
health res. at Macedonia, O. He became a blacksmith, having
been bound out at 14 to learn the trade. Was remarkably enter-
taining as a story teller.
Children :
Edward George, b. Dec. 21, 1843, Peninsula, 0., died on
366 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
battlefield of Gettysburg, July 6, 1863. Had served two
years.
Luther J., b. June 20, 1848 ; d. Feb. 10, 1854.
609 Frank Moses, b. Dec. 23, 1852.
610 Jake Luther, b. July 10, 1855.
610a Fred Egbert, b. Mar. 28, 1858.
356 Charlotte Sophia 7 Ranney (George 6 , William 5 , John 4 ,
John 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. June'l, 1813, Pike Township, Brad-
ford Co., Pa.; m. July 16, 1854, Kirtland, O., Christopher Gore
Crary, b. Jan. 22, 1806, Becket, Mass. His parents rem. 1811 to
Western Reserve. He d. Mar. 11, 1895, Kirtland; farmer, Rep.,
and Cong., was author of " Pioneer's Reminiscences," She was
Cong, and d. Oct. 14, 1894, Kirtland.
Child:
William Ranney, b. Oct. 22, 1855, Kirtland, O.; m. Sept.
24, 1884, Stapleton, Iowa, Carrie Mav Davis, b. Sept.
24, 1860, Stapleton, dau. of Edmund Willis Davis and
Caroline Matilda Randall. P. of H., Dem., farmer and
business; res. Kirtland, O. Children:
Charlotte Beecher, b. Apr. 12, 1886, student of Oberlin
College.
Marion Davis, b. Sept. 27, 1892.
357 Charles Ebenezer 7 Ranney (Ores 8 , Ebenezer 5 , Elijah*,
Richard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. June 20, 1827, Augusta, N. Y.;
m. Dec. 20, 1853, Stockbridge, N. Y., Elizabeth Snell b. June 10,
1833, Stockbridge, N. Y., dau. of Frederick Snell and Eva Starr.
Farmer, Dem.; d. Dec. 3, 1894, Stockbridge, N. Y.
Children :
611 Eva May, b. June 30, 1855; m. (1) Edward Stewart; (2)
Elmer Eaton.
Alice Jane, b. June 3, 1859 ; d. Dec. 10, 1859.
Harriet Marion, b. July 20, 1860; unm. ; res. Vernon Cen-
ter, N. Y.
Frederick Charles, b. Feb. 28, 1875; d. Apr. 4, 1875.
358 Hiram H. 7 Ranney (Hiram 6 , Ebenezer 5 , Elijah 4 , Richard 8 ,
John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Apr. 17, 1842, Mohawk, N. Y.; m. July 4,
1860, Little Falls, N. V.. Maryette Warner, b. Jan. 14, 1841,
Mohawk, dau. of James Warner and Maria Hammond descended
from I he Boston Tea Party clan. Machinist and tool maker, re-
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 367
tired, Treas. of Co, F. & A. M., 3°-33°-96° Egyptian Rite, Rep,
Bapt.; wife is 0. E. S.; res. Mohawk, N. Y.
Children :
612 Marcus Hiram, b. Sept. 27, 1862.
613 John C, b. Aug. 18, 1876.
Bernice C, b. June 9, 1873 ; d. Mar. 13, 1874.
Charles Garfield, b. June 8, 1880; grad. 1904, Renssalaer
Poly. School; F. & A. M, with State survey; res. Mo-
hawk, N. Y.
359 Warren 7 Ranney (brother to Hiram H.), b. Sept. 3, 1846,
Mohawk N. Y.; m. Mar. 6, 1870, Mohawk, Mary Zurena Kings-
bury, b. Feb. 28, 1852, Utica, N. Y, dau. of John Kingsbury and
Cornelia Bates. Rep, F. & A. M, farmer ; res. Mohawk, N. Y.
Children :
Alma May, b. Dec. 25, 1870; m. E. C. Quackenbush; res.
Mohawk, N. Y.
Myron, b. Sept. 16, 1872 ; d. Mar. 17, 1875.
Warren Kingsbury, b. Feb. 16, 1876 ; res. Brooklyn, N. Y.
Son, b. Nov. 28, 1881 ; d. Sept. 15, 1882.
Earl D, b. May 7, 1887.
360 Abbie Deette 7 Ranney (Oliver Russell 6 , Ebenezer 5 , Elijah 4 ,
Richard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ),'^ Feb. 5, 1847, Stockbndge, N. Y. ;
m. Aug. 9, 1866, Oneida, N. Y, Walter Robert Lowe, b. Apr. 12,
1841 Buxton, England, son of Thomas Lowe and Martha Ann
Thaxter, who came to the U. S. in 1849. He is a contractor and
builder; res. Oneida, N. Y.
Children:
Russell Walter, b. Mar. 19, 1868; m. Aug. 12, 1891, Mary
Louise Beers, Ridgefield, Conn; grad. New York Med.
Coll.; served in Bridgeport Hospital, settled in Ridge-
field, Conn. Child:
Gilbert Ranney, b. July 10, 1894 ; res. Ridgefield, Conn.
Agnes Elizabeth Lowe, b. May 7, 1872, Oneida, N. Y.; m.
Jan. 8, 1895, Oneida, N. Y, Henry Bennett Doxtader.
Children: Helen Agnes, Hattie Louise, Russell, De-
lilah Abbie.
361 Norton William 7 Bingham (Almeda Pamelia 6 Ranney,
Ebenezer 5 , Elijah 4 , Richard 3 , John-, Thomas 1 ), b. May 4, 1841,
368 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Valley Mills, N. Y.; m. Jan. 1, 1880, Oneida, N". Y., Ellen Jane
Tubbs, b. Dec. 10, 1859, Vienna, N. Y., dau. of Willard Tubbs
and Kate Laughlin. At age of 7 Mr. Tubbs rem. from Conn, to
Oneida Lake, N. Y., where he d. Mar. 4, 1885; res. Oneida,
N. Y.
Child:
Walter Earl, b. Sept. 4, 1882; d. Sept. 30, 1883.
362 Henry Clay 7 Eanney (Elijah Warren 6 , Rufus 5 , Elijah 4 ,
Richard 5 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. June 1, 1829, Freedom, 0.; m.
Sept. 19, 1853, Ravenna, 0., Helen Augusta Burgess, b. May 20.
1834, Ravenna, 0., dau. of Thomas Scott Burgess and Amelia
Coolman (dau. of Hon. Wm. Coolman). Mrs. Ranney, an active
member of St. Paul's Epis. Ch., was subject to heart trouble, and
died suddenly Nov. 26, 1904. Their golden wedding scene is
given herewith.
The father of Mr. Ranney dying when our subject was but six
years of age, he was adopted into the family of the Hon. R. P.
Ranney, then a rising young lawyer of Jefferson. Ohio. He was
at once placed in school and given a good education, and then
entered the office of his uncle, Rufus P. Ranney, where he began
the study of law. He was admitted to the bar in 1852, and im-
mediately entered into practice at Warren, Ohio, in the office of
Judge Birchard. He was afterwards associated with his uncle,
John L. Ranney, at Ravenna, with whom he remained until the
death of the latter.
In 1874 he came to Cleveland, and entered into partnership
with his uncle, Rufus P., and cousin, John R. Ranney. Since
1890 Mr. Ranney has been engaged in practice alone.
Tn 1862 Mr. Ranney was appointed, by President Lincoln, As-
sistant Adjutant General of Volunteers with rank of captain,
and assigned to duty on the staff of General E. P>. Tyler, com-
manding the first brigade, third division, fifth army corps of the
Army of the Potomac. This position he held about two years.
during which lie participated in the battles of Fredericksburg and
Chancellorsville. He then resigned on account of ill health, and.
returning to Ravenna, resumed his practice, devoting himself
assiduously thereto ever since.
Mr. Ranney has never sought or held a public salaried office of
any kind, though he has on frequent occasions been solicited to
stand for election to the bench and to Congress.
No lawyer in northern Ohio has a wider circle of close and last-
ing friendship among his legal brethren on the bench and at the
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 369
bar than has Mr. Ranney. and no lawyer in the State has a
higher standing at the bar than he.
Mr. Eanney has for many years been closely identified with the
leading movements for the advancement of culture in literature
and art in his home city. His known sympathy with such move-
ments, and his unquestioned probity, together with his reputation
for safe and conservative business methods, have made him the
natural choice as trustee for the many donations of generous-
minded persons who have devoted large sums of money to such
purposes, and his own wide culture, derived from study and ex-
tensive travel in his own country and abroad, render his services
invaluable as custodian of these important interests.
Mr. Eanney was one of the founders of the Western Eeserve
School of Design, and is president of the Cleveland Museum of
Art. He is a life trustee of Case Library, and holds an LL. D.
from Kenyon College. He did excellent work as a trustee of the
Cleveland Free Library. He is a former president of the Cleve-
land, Canton & Southern Railway Company, and a life member
of the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Ranney is a 32° Mason, and
belongs to the Army and Navy Corps, the Army of the Potomac,
and is a companion of the Loyal Legion. He is a member of the
Union, Country, Euclid, Rowfant, Church, Castalia, Golf, and
University Clubs of Cleveland, and the National Art Club. He
is a member of the American Bar Association, the Ohio State
Bar, and the Cleveland Bar Associations, also a trustee of the
John Huntington Benevolent Trust, the Art and Polytechnic
Trust, and a member of the State Board of Charities; a director
of The Guardian Savings & Trust Company, The Citizens Savings
& Trust Company, the Societv for Savings, Continental Sugar
Company, and of the Cleveland & Pittsburg Railroad Company.
He is an. Episcopalian, and senior warden of St. Paul's Church.
Mr. Ranney is one of those men whose lives are full of unsought
honors* of the truest sort, and the solid, substantial, and perma-
nent rewards of unselfish lives. The love and confidence of all
who know him are the crown of a long, useful, and successful
career. Res. Cleveland, 0.
{^])i In YPtx, *
614 Amelia Coolman, b. Aug. 7, 1855; m. Horace Bassett
Corner.
Emily Adele, b. Dec. 27, 1857; d. Nov. 22, 1858.
Henrv Percival. b. Oct. 30, 1859; d. Jan. 21, 1880.
615 Helen Gertrude, b. Mav 10, 1866; m. Fred T. Sholes.
Marv Clewell. b. Mav 10, 1868; d. Aug. 19, 1883.
Julia Kathrine. b. Sept. 25. 1871; d. Aug. 10, L891 ; unm.
370 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
616 Helen Burgess, b. Jan. 19, 1878; m. Dr. Large.
364 Charles Percival 7 Rannev (Rufus Percival 6 , Rufus 5 , Elijah 4 ,
h'ichard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Oct. 7, 1847, Warren, 0.; m.
Feb. 12, 1873, Cleveland, 0., Alice Gregory Benedict, b. Dec. 12,
1851, Cleveland, dau. of Edwin G. Benedict and Philena Osborn.
Retired attorney, Epis. Res. Cleveland, 0.
Children :
Rufus Percival, b. May 24, 1874; m. Sawyer. Res.
Cleveland, 0.
616a Cornelia Alice, b. July 6, 1875; m. John X. Stockwell, Jr.
Constance Ethel, b. Mar. 6, 1882 ; d. same vear.
Alice Elizabeth, b. Jan. 23, 1894.
365 John Rufus 7 Ranney (Rufus Percival 6 , Rufus 5 , Elijah 4 .
Richard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Oct. 5, 1851, Warner, 0.; d. June
I. 1901, Cleveland. 0.; m. Nov. 17, 1881, Cleveland, 0., Mary Lug-
gett, b. Cuyahoga Falls, 0., dau. of David Luggett, b. Scarborough,
Eng., and Sarah Elizabeth Page. He was a lawyer, and mem.
Epis. Ch. She mem. St. John's Epis. Ch., Cuyahoga Falls; res.
Cleveland. No children.
366 Emily 7 Ranney (Joel , Joel 5 , Stephen 4 , Richard 3 , John 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Jan. 15, 1835, Plain Township, Franklin Co., 0. ;
m. Apr. 3, 1859, Ohio, George Clark, b. 1812, d. Aug. 15, 1886,
Ames, Kansas, son of John and Olive Clark. He rem.. 1870, to
Kansas. Served in the Civil War. Widow res. Ames, Kan.
368 Joel Cvrus 7 Rannev (Joel 6 , Joel 5 , Stephen 4 , John\ John 2 ,
Thomas 1 ), b. Feb. 8, 1848. Franklin Co., 0.; m. June 20, 1872,
Nellie Powell, b. Mar. 31, 1857, Illinois, dau. of V. Powell, and
granddau. of J. J. Hyatt, who served in the Civil War. Rem. to
Kansas under the homestead law: farmer; res. Ames, Kan.
Children :
Abiah Ellen, b. Nov. 22, 1875.
616b Nellie Blanche, b. Oct. 11. 1878; m. John Ira Miller.
616c Edith Josephine, b. Mar. 17, 1880; m. M. 0. Bland.
369 Catherine Eliza 7 Knox (Alanson Ranney* Knox, Hannah 5
Rannev, Aimer 4 . Richard 8 , John 8 , Thomas 1 ), b. May 27, 1827,
TJtica, N. Y. ; d. Oct. 21, 1876, Concordia, Kansas; m. Mar. 18,
1849, Dansvillr. \\ Y., Rev. Joseph Castle Dana, b. Nov. 29.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 371
1827, Owego, N. Y.; clergyman M. E. Church, private Co. A,
153d 111. Vols.; Supt. Cloud Co., Kansas, Schools, 1877-8; Rep.
He m. (2) Mar. 24, 1880, and res. Modesto, Cal.
Children :
Ella Maria, b. Mar. 17, 1850; m. Rev. G. W. Moxcey.
Henrv Hobart, b. Dec. 14, 1852 ; d. Apr. 23, 1870.
Chester Park, b. Oct. 11, 1855.
Charles Knox, b. Mar. 11, 1857.
Henrietta Eliza, b. Sept. 3, 1861; m. Arthur Moxcey.
Mary Grace, b. Dec. 7, 1862; m. Mar. 20, 1888, Roseville,
Pa., James Sackett Wilson, b. Mar. 26, 1857, Tioga
Co., Pa., son of Henry S. Wilson and Koxania Stark;
Rep.. Meth., F. & A. M. ; she Unitarian; res. Concord,
Mass. Children:
Stark Dana. b. Dec. 11, 1888.
Jessie Mabel, b. July 13, 1893.
Mildred Roxania, b. Jan. 7, 1895. '
Edwin Henrv, b. Aug. 23, 1898.
Eva Louise, b. Sept. 16, 1870; m. Dr. John H. Moore.
370 Henrietta Matilda 7 Knox (sister to Catherine Eliza), b.
Jan. 2, 1833, N. Y. City.; m. Mar. 12, 1856, Bristol, Wis., Rev.
Thomas Elliott 8 St. John, b. Mar. 2, 1831, Canterbury, N. Y.
(Albert 7 , Jesse 6 , Nathan 5 , Daniel 4 , James 3 , Matthias 2 , Matthias ).
The widow resides with her son in Brookline, Mass. Rev. Mr.
St John grad. in medicine in 1856, but was settled as Universa-
list pastor in New Bedford, Mass., 1859-1862; in Worcester,
1862-1866, and again in 1869-1879. In the interval he was
minister of the Church of the Redeemer in Chicago. After a
short pastorate in Auburn. N. Y.. he entered the Unitarian fellow-
ship, with settlements at Haverhill, Mass., 1883-1893, and at
Eastport, Me., 1897, till his death, February 35 L906 P™ng
his residence in Worcester, ho was the highest officer of the Ma-
sonic Lodge, Chapter, Council, and Commandery. In 18,3-5
Grand Master of the Grand Council Royal and Select Masters of
Massachusetts. In 1875-9 and 1882-97 Grand Prelate of the
Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode [sland. \\ bile in
Worcester he represented that city Cor one term in the legwtatwe,
and while in Haverhill was in the legislature of 1892, 1894, 1895,
and 1896. Politics did not agree with him, and, upon receiving a
call from the First Parish of Eastport, Maine, he g adly returned
to his true occupation. A quotation from an obituary notice
written bv Rev. J. C. Perkins, D. D., of Portland, for the Uni-
372 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
tarian Year Book of 1906, shows the esteem in which he was held
by his brother ministers :
" His very valuable ministry in Eastport crowned a life of
stable worth, of sturdy, devout character — a life that disclosed
in the man himself the natural results of personal consecration,
and glorified anew the type of service offered by a minister pledged
to freedom of thought and the wider welfare of the community
he lives in. As minister of the oldest church in Eastport, as
friend of all the people, as superintendent of schools through most
of his residence, as president of the Public Library Association,
as prominent in Masonic orders, there was found a full and free
expression of this man's native and most useful qualities. . . .
There was ever the strong impression of poise and quiet self-con-
trol, which was emphasized by his impressive personal appearance."
Child:
Charles Elliott, b. Dec. 19, 1856, Prairie Du Chien, Wis.:
m. June '26, 1888, Dover, Mass., Martha Elizabeth
Everett, b. Nov. 16, 1863. Dover, Mass., dau. of George
Draper Everett and Martha Allen Plummer; grad.
1888, Smith College; Assn. of Coll. Almanse; Col-
lege Club, Boston. Rev. Mr. St. John grad. 1879,
Harvard; 1883, B. D., and ,A. M., Harvard; 1883,
ord. and sett, pastor Unit. Church, Northampton, Mass.;
1891 to Unit. Ch., Pittsburg. Pa.; since 1900 Sec. of
Am. Unit. Assn., with office at 25 Beacon Street, Bos-
ton, and residence at Brookline, Mass. Children:
Everett, b. Mar. 27, 1889.
Harold, b. July 25, 1892,
Prescott Keves, b. Mav 8, 1899 ; d. Feb. 24, 1900.
Lyman, b. May 8, 1899 ; d. Feb. 26, 1900.
371 Harriet Jane 7 Knox (sister to Catherine Eliza), b. Feb.
26, 1840, Dansville, N. Y.; m. June 2, 1861, Kingston, Wis..
Francis Gilbert Knight, h. Sept. 19. 1.9:',2. Kastport, Me.; farmer
and stone mason, Meth., Prohi., G. A. R. ; private Co. C. 32d Wis.
Vol. Inf., Aug. 14, 1862— June 12, 1865; res. Kingston, Wis.
Children :
Amelia Wellman, b. Aug. 13, 1862; m. Aug. 11, 1902,
Alexander Scott Semple; res. Kingston, Wis.
Catherine Mabel, b. Aug. 7, 1866; mini.
Gilbert Alanson, b. Jan. 6. 1868: m. July 12, 1899. Mary
Alice Foss, b. Oct. 8, 1871, dau. of die Enderson Fobs
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS KANNEY 373
and Martha Ann Gunderson ; Justice Peace, school
clerk; res. Kingston, Wis. Children:
Harold Webster, b. July 19, 1902.
Chas. Francis, b. Sept. 19, 1903.
Reginald Gilbert, b. Aug. 3, 1905.
Francis Allen, b. Dec. 19. 1869; m. Oct, 25, 1905. Daisie
Alice Ramey, b. May 14, 1882; farmer and artist,
Meth., Prohi. ; res. Norwood, Minn. Child:
Francis Mabel, b. Sept. 10, 1906.
Henry Porter, b. June 27, 1872 ; m. Dec. 27, 1898, Christina
Augusta Lichttenegger ; farmer, Prohi.. Meth.; res.
Arlington, Minn. Children:
Pearl Mabel, b. Oct. 21, 1899.
Arthur Edward, b. June 27, 1902.
Irma Frances, b. July 23. 1904; d. Mar. 15, 1906.
Wilmer Franklin, b. 'July 15, 1906.
371a Fayette Almeron 7 Allen (Samuel Allen 8 , Lovisa" Ranney,
Abner 4 , Richard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Sept. 19, 1841, Augusta,
N. Y. ; m. Oct. 30 186—, Augusta, N. Y., Fidelia Amanda King,
b. Oct. 28, 1840, Augusta, N. Y. Private Co. I, 8th New York-
Cavalry, Oct., 1861— June 27, 1865; in 38 engagement and
wounded at Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864. Res. Ashtabula, O.
Ch ildren :
Myrtle Dwight, b. Dec. 6, 1868 ; d. Sept. 17, 1869.
Miles Fayette, b. March 6, 1877; unm. Res. Ashtabula, 0.
372 Harriet Edna 7 Cook (Mary Ann Rannev, Abner 5 , Abner 4 ,
Richard 3 , John 2 . Thomas 1 ), b. Sept. 19, 1851,' Sheridan, N. Y.;
m. Oct. 5, 1869, Sheridan, N. Y., Harvey Morrison Bailev, b.
Mar. 18, 1847, Fredonia, N. Y. ; Dem., Supervisor, I. O. O. F..
Meth., Com. of Highways; res. Dunkirk, N. Y.
Children :
619 Harvev Carlton, b. Nov. 19. 1874.
Ruth May, b. May 12, 1879; unm.; grad. New Castle,
Pa., Bus. Coll., Typewriter; res. New Castle, Pa.
373 Cassius Wells 7 Ranney (Lyman Wells , Abner*. Abner*,
Richard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Feb. 18, 1861, Cooperstown, Pa.; m.
(1) Nov. 19, 1886, New Castle, Pa., Clara F. Crowther. b. 1861,
d.- ; m. (2) Sept. 17, 1895, Cooperstown, Pa., Fannie V
Byers, b. 1863. Pharmacist, real estate, Rep., Presby., Alderman,
K. of P., F. & A. M. Res. New Castle, Pa.
374 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Child:
Frank Burton, b. Oct. 31, 1897.
374 Robert Burton 7 Ranney (brother to Cassius Wells), b. Jan.
10, 1865; m. (1) Oct. 11, 1888, Cooperstown, Pa., Tempa Lena
Byers, b. July 12. 1SG5. d. June 3, 1895; m. (2) Oct. 16, 1901.
New Castle, Pa., Cora E. Miller, b. Jan. 22, 1878. Pharmacist,
real estate, Rep., Presby., P. A. M., K. of P. Mr. Ranney was the
first person to advocate the formation of a Ranney Memorial Asso-
ciation and sent a generous contribution as an earnest of good
wishes. Res. New Castle, Pa.
Child:
Elizabeth, b. July 14, 1904.
'■>] la Lura May 7 Ranney (sister to Cassius Wells), b. July 7,
1870, Cooperstown, Pa.; d. Dec. 25, 1905; m. Aug. 9, 1892, Harry
M. Good. Res. New Castle, Pa.
375 Bernice 7 Rannev (Harmon 15 , Abner 5 , Abner 4 , Richard 3 ,
John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Mar. 9, 1851. Forestville, N. Y.; m. (1)
May 18, 1872, New Lisbon, Wis., Joseph Hinton, b. Mar. 30.
1845, Illinois; rem. to Wis. when a child. Private Co. B, 49th
Reg., Wis. Vol. Inf.; disc. Aug. 19, 1865, at Rolla. Missouri;
postmaster at New Lisbon, Wis., from 1870 to death there, Feb.
3, 1874. She m. (2) July 15, 1894, Charles Dye, Forestville,
N. Y., who served as 2d Lieut. Co. D, 90th Battery, N. Y. Vet.,
and d. Feb. 3, 1897, Forestville, N. Y. Widow is Bapt., Macca-
bees, and resides in Forestville, N. Y.
Child:
620 Josephine Julia Hilton, b. June 15, 1879 ; m. Jesse M.
Woodward.
376 Sarah Etta 7 Ranney (sister to Bernice), b. June 15, 1853,
Forestville, N. Y. ; m. Jan. 27, 1875, New Lisbon. Wis., Judson
Brewster, b. Feb. 18, 1851, Illinois; Rep., Bapt., miller and
railroad contractor; she was Bapt., and d. Mar. 27, 1895, New
Lisbon, Wis. He res. at Winona, Wis.
Children :
Charles, b. Jan. 4, 1877; «1. Mar. 2 1, L893.
John, b. Sept. 4, 1880.
377 Sheldon 7 Ranney (brother to Bernice), b. Feb. L9, 1859,
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 375
Fountain. Wis.; m. Apr. 15, 1883, New Lisbon, Wis., Hattie
Judevine, b. Oct. 22, 1862, Clifton. Wis., dau. of Horace Jude-
vine and Harriet Webster; farmer, Rep., Woodman, F. & A. M.,
Frat. Union; res. Hustler, Wis.
Ch ildren :
Fern, b. Oct. 16, 1883; m. Mar. 6, 1906, Earl Bingham;
res. De Soto, Wis.
Averv L., b. Nov. 3, 1886.
Frank, b. June 16, 1889.
Mildred, b. July 18, 1892.
Irma, b. Nov. 26, 1894.
Glenn Allison, b. Sept. 4, 1896.
378 Bertha 7 Ranney (sister to Bernice), b. Apr. 11, 1867, Se-
dalia, Mo.; m. Aug. 27> 1895, New Lisbon, Wis., Androw Jack-
son Swezey, b. Dec. 30, 1869, Knoxville, Iowa; Rep., Uni., F. &
A. M., Elk, Woodman; grad. of No. 111. Normal School, and
Keokuk Med. Sch., 1897. She grad. New Lisbon High School,
1886, taught for some years, grad. Northern 111. Normal School,
1894; res. Decorah, Iowa.
Children:
Ruth Elena, b. Mar. 20, 1897.
Paul Howard, b. Fe'b. 25, 1899.
379 Lamira Corinthia 7 Rannev (Timothy Alonzo 8 , Joel 5 , Ab-
ner 4 , Richard 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Sept. 1, 1841, Colden.
N. Y.; d. Dec. 21, 1902, Colden; m. Aug. 28, 1857. Alden, N. Y.,
Albert George Southwick, b. Feb. 5, 1835, Colden, N. Y. ; d.
Jan. 5, 1892, Colden; farmer and Rep.
Children:
Timothy Hcnrv, b. Jan. 1859; d. Feb., 1859.
Alma Amanda, b. June 16, 1861; m. July 31, 1881, Wil-
liam Andrew Dav; res. Delevan, N. Y.
Frank Ray, b. Oct. 2. 1867.
Marian Louisa, b. Oct. 11, 1870; m. Jan. 30, 1895, Boston,
Erie Co., N. Y., Henry Charles Freedham, b. May 23,
1873, Clacton-on-sea, Essex, England; family went to
Australia in 1880, to New York in 1883, to Buffalo
in 1884. to Colden in 1890; contractor and builder,
Rep., Epis.; res. Colden. N. Y. Children:
Mildred Emily, b. Dec. 16, 1895.
376 MIDDLETOWN UPPEK HOUSES
Helen Margaret, b. May 30, 1897.
Katherine Blanche, b. Feb. 19, 1899.
Hazel Lamira, b. Sept. 6, 1905.
Guy Rannev, b. Apr. 14, 1874; m. Feb. 28, 1900. Colden,
Anna Vivian Barron, b. July 26, 1868, Holland, N. Y.,
dan. of Grame Barron and Carrie Giesler; farmer;
res. Colden, N. Y. Children:
Bernice Clvde, b. Jan. 20, 1902.
Lamira Alma, b. July 21, 1904.
Ida Grace, b. Nov. 5," 1905.
Ida Ethel, b. May 16, 1877.
380 .Louisa Content 7 Rannev (sister to Lamira Corinthia), b.
Aug. 26, 1842, Aurora, N". Y.;'m. Mar. 1, 1866, Rochester. Minn..
Asa Bray Harte. b. Mar. 23, 1833, Mercer Co., Pa., farmer; res.
Hammond, Minn.
' Child:
Archie Ernest, b. Dec. 28, 1873; m. Cora May Bulen.
k
381 Marv Adaline 7 Ranney (sister to Lamira Corinthia), b.
Feb. 14, 1853. Colden. N. Y.'; m. Mar. 10, 1872, Buffalo, N". Y..
Charles Henrv Decker, b. Aug. 2, 1842, Aurora, N. Y., mail
carrier, Dem., Bapt, I. 0. G. T. ; res. Dunkirk, N. Y.
381a Mattie Florence 7 Ranney (sister to Lamira Corinthia),
b. June 15, 1860, Colden, N. Y. ; m. July 2, 1881, Dunkirk, N. Y.,
Jedediah Darbee Thurber, b. Dec. 31, 1861, West Falls, N. Y.,
grocer, S. of V., Prohib., Meth., Maccabee. She is Meth., W. C.
T. U. Res. East Aurora, N. Y.
382 John Goodhue 7 Ranney (Oliver Franklin 6 , Oliver 5 , Abner 4 ,
Richard 8 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Apr. 29, 1845, Augusta, N". Y. ; m.
Nov. 2, 1871, Man- ^
1 i us, N. Y., Catherine ^Jj J? /J? -//
Elizabeth Overhiser, f/f&?W &. /t&^i^rt^l^f'
b. J u 1 v 18, 1847, ( // \ S7
Kirkville, N". Y., dan. * <Ly
of John Barnett Overhiser and Catherine Chawgo of Chiitenango.
N. Y. ; mem. 1st Ch. of Christ, Scientist, and Dau. of Liberty.
Mr. Ranney has rendered valuable assistance in preparing the
line of Abner 4 , is Vice Pres. of Society of Middletown Upper
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 377
Houses, Red Men, Rep., machinist, private Co. E, 101st N\ Y.
Vol. Inf., disc, for disability; res. Syracuse, N. Y.
Children:
Edna Lelian, b. Jan. 27, 1873; unm.; res. Syracuse, N. Y.
Earl Eugene, b. July 5, 1876, Hamburg, la.; m. Nov. 16,
1899, Syracuse, N. Y., Edith Estelle Orr, b. July 19,
1879. Wappinger's Falls, N. Y., dau. of Charles Henry
Orr and Georgiana Burr; Bapt, Rep., electrician, pri-
vate Co. C, and trumpeter 4th U. S. Cav., Apr. 10,
1896— Apr. 18, 1899, being in various battles in Philip-
pine Islands; res. Cleveland, 0. Children:
Eugene Earl, b. Sept. 24, 1901.
Doris Edith, b. Nov. 4, 1902.
Georgiana Grace, b. Apr. 4, 1906.
Floyd Franklyn, b. Mav 11. 1879; d. Nov. 9, 1897
Leah Emma, b. Mar. 5, 1886 : d. Aug. 4, 1886.
Nina Marion, b. June 18, 1887.
383 Barzillai Frank 7 Ranney (brother to John Goodhue), b.
Dec. 24, 1847, Augusta, N. Y.; m. Aug. 12, 1885, Eliza Adelaide
Husted, b. Oct. 10, 1851, Annsville. N. Y., dau. of George Husted
(whose father served as fifer in War of 1812, and grandfather
David was captain in 6th Albanv Co., Reg. of N. Y. State Militia,
1778-84) and Deborah Randolph. She is Pres. of W. C. T. IL
since 1896, and mem. Uni. Ch. He is Prohi., carpenter and
farmer, mem. Presby. Ch. ; res. Taberg, N. Y.
384 Rudolph 7 Ranney (Daniel Wells 6 , Oliver 5 , Abner 4 , Rich-
ard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. July 30, 1847, Knoxboro. N. Y.; m.
1874, Rockport, Mo., Eunice Nina Duncan, of Beloit, Wis., dau.
of Anson Maltby Duncan and Angeline Warner; rem. 1871, to
Rockport, Mo.; 1874, to Los Angeles, Cal., where for years he
was Judge of the Criminal Court of City and Co. of Los Angeles ;
d. Feb. 10. 1889, of Bright's disease; widow m. Charles De
Averau; res. Johannesburg, S. Africa. No children.
385 Frank Warner 7 Ranney (brother to Rudolph), b. Feb. 8,
1850, Knoxboro, N. Y.; m. Feb. 7, 1876, Tarkio, Mo., Lucy
Carnev, b. July 9, 1859, dau. of Thomas Carnev and Phchc Eliza-
beth Baxter, who d. Jan. 14, 1888, Tarkio. Mo.; Rep., Meth.,
A. O. F. A. He d. May 10, 1902, Keswick, Cal.
378 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Children:
Mabel Gladys, b. Oct, 1, 1879; m. Sept. 25, 1907, William
Emmet Edmond ; res. Los Angeles, Cal.
Doris, b. 1881 ; d. 1882, Ellsworth, Kan.
Warren Rudolph, b. June 13, 1883; res. Los Angeles, Cal.;
unm., student, Rep., Christian Ch.
Frank Merle, b. 1885 ; d. Nov. 19, 1887.
385a John Jav 7 Rannev (Milo . Wells 5 , Abner 4 , Richard 3 , John 2 .
Thomas 1 ), b. Mar. 15, 1843, Pekin, N. Y.; m. July 8. 1866,
Clarence Center, N. Y., Elizabeth Batchelcler, b. Sept." 11, 1845,
Royalton, N. Y., dau. of Isaac Batchelder and Emily Schunck;
private and farrier Co. I, 2d New York Mounted Rifles. Oct. 10.
1863— Aug. 10, 1865; wounded June 7. 1864, Cold Harbor; in
many battles; Rep., night watchman; res. Lockport, N. Y.
Children :
Minnctta, b. Jan. 9, 1868, Royalton, N. Y. ; m. Jan. 12,
1887, Albert Edward Dayer, b. Nov. 16, 1863, Lock-
port, N. Y., son of John Dayer and Elizabeth J. Bonn-
sail, erecting eng. ; res. Lockport, N. Y. Children:
John Walter, b. Feb. 22, 1888.
Raymond Charles, b. Feb. 18, 1890.
385b Milo Wells 7 Rannev (brother to John Jav), b. Apr. 14,
1862, Lockport. N. Y. : m. Aug. 2, 1881, The Rapids, N. Y..
Nellie Florence Shultz, b. July 10, 1862. Toledo, O., dau. of John
William Shultz and Mary Qiiinn; Rep., I. O. O. F. ; res. Lock-
port, N. Y.
386 Julia Almira 7 Rannev (Harvev Henderson 6 , Wells 5 , Ab-
ner 4 , Richard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. - ; m. Mar. 28. 1S72.
Hutchinson, Minn., Elmer A. Stanton ; res. Portland. Oregon.
Children:
Eenry Oliver, b. Jan. •!, 1873; d. May 2 1, 1905.
Bertram Edwin, b. Sept. 14, 1875.
Eva Eliza, b. Feb. 25, 1878.
Cora May, b. Apr. 10, 1881.
387 Charlotta Eliza 7 Ranney (sister to Julia Almira), 1>.
; in. Dec. 23, 1886, Hutchinson, Minn., A. Lee White-
lock; res. S.i ii Diego, Cal.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 379
Children:
Sadie Euphana, b. Jan. 21, 1888.
Florence Elnora, b. Sept. 3, 1890.
James William, b. May 31, 1892.
388 Eva Belinda 7 Ranney (sister to Julia Almira), b. ;
m. Feb. 24, 1892, Hutchinson, Minn., Clarence Walter Gillette;
res. Woodburn, Oregon.
Children:
Alpheus Jay, b. June 23, 1894.
Clarence Jones, b. Sept. 9, 1901.
389 Francis Leroy 7 Eanney (Philo 6 , Lvman 5 , Aimer 4 . Richard 3 ,
John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Dec. 16* 1847, York, Wis.; m. Jan. 1, 1868,
Beaver Dam, Wis., Hannah Peck, b. Aug. 19, 1849, Sun Prairie,
Wis., dau. of Joseph Peck and Eleanor Moore; farmer and stock
raiser, Rep., Meth., G. A. R., Corp. Co. G, 49th Reg., Wis. Vols.,
Feb. 27, Nov. 1, 1865; ret. from farm, 1898; res. Algona,
Iowa.
Children :
Frank Emerson, b. Mar. 1, 1869; m. Nov. 2, 1892, Burt.
la., Sarah Angeline Moore, b. Sept. 10, 1873, Rome,
Wis., dau. of John Moore and Rachel Loretta Hill;
farmer, Rep.; res. Irving, So. Dakota. Children:
Maude Mariette, b. Aug. 12, 1894.
Francis John, b. Apr. 8, 1897.
Arden Ernest, b. Aug. 21, 1899.
Hannah Loretta, b. Apr. 18, 1904.
Mary Jane, b. Apr. 17, 1871, York, Wis.; m. Nov. 25, 1892,
'Fen ton, la., William Fred Dehnert, b. Nov. 24, 1868,
Prussia, Germany; farmer, Rep., M. W. of A., I. 0.
O. F. ; she Bapt., Royal Neighbors of A. ; res. Stanton,
Mich. Children:
Carroll Alfred, b. Mar. 3. 1894.
Homer Roselle, b. May 24, 1897.
Verne Opal. b. Nov. 13, 1899.
Belva Christina, b. Dec. 8, 1901.
Erma Rachel, b. Mar. 14, 1904.
John William, b. Nov. 26, 1873, la.; m. Apr. 16, 1896.
Fenton, la., Christina Marie Christenson, b. Mar. 3,
1877, Fenton, la., dau. of Jens Christian Christenson
and Stene Bendictia Nelson; farmer, Rep., Meth., M.
W. of A.; she Lutheran; res. Lonerock, la. Children:
Agnes Mav, b. Feb. 24, 1897.
380 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Everett Alonzo, b. Aug. 25, 1898.
Viva [nova, b. Jan. 3, 1900.
Forest Cecil, b. Mar. 27, 1901.
John Melvin, b. July 17, 1902.
Vernon Burtis, b. Dec. 8, 1903.
Orvis Julius, b. Jan. 8, 1875; m. Nov. 6, 1901. Bettie
Caroline Peterson, b. Aug. 20, 1874, 111., dan of
Andrew Peter Peterson and Sophia Louisa Johnson;
farmer, Meth.; res. Fenton, la. Child:
Orlo Mrlzar, b. Aug. 3, 1904.
Huldah Evah, b. Sept. 4, 1876, la.; m. Oct. 18, 1893,
Fenton, la., Vernon Benjamin Tubbs, b. Oct. 20. 1871.
Rome, Wis.; farmer. Rep.; res. Marshall. Minn.
Children :
Joseph William, b. Sept. 9, 1894.
Walter Clarence, b. May 16, 1899.
Joseph Philo, b. Oct. 14," 1878; m. Aug. 28, 1901. Burt.
la., Lydia Amanda Koepka, b. Apr. 5, 1876, Union,
fa., dau. of John Koepka; Rep., Meth.; res. Anoka.
Minn. Child:
Cora Josephine, b. Aug. 9, 1903.
Josephine Evangeline, b. Oct. 12, 1880; m. June 28, 1899,
John E. Klingclhofer, b. Dec. 9, 1871, Kossuth Co.,
la.; merchant, moth.. M W. of A.; she R. 1ST. A.; res.
Turlock, Cal. Children:
Virgil Elvira, b. Mar. 8, 1902.
Ivan Vincent, b. Oct. 15, 1903.
Daniel Edward, b. Jan. 7, 1882; mini.
Walter Howard, b. Jan. 25, 1884; d. June 21, 1884.
390 Julius Sheldon 7 Ranney (brother to Francis Leroy), b.
Oct. 2, 1848, York, Wis.: d. Jan. 7. 1S73, Kossuth Co., Ta. ; m.
Aug. 24, 1871, Marshall. Wis.. Louisa Weber, b. Apr. 2, 1848,
Jefferson Co., Wis., dau. of Geo. Frederick Weber and Rosinti
I. <!mrr; farmer; the widow m. Geo. Harrison; res. Maynard,
Iowa.
Child:
George Julius, b. July 19, 1872; m. Feb. i:.. L893, Payette,
la.. Laura. Elgin Paine, b. Mar. 5, L871, Payette,
la., dau. of Win. Harvey Paine and Laura Melvina
Clark; travels for International Harvester Co. of A..
P, & A. M.. Rep., Fresh.; res. Langford, So. Dakota.
Children :
Dora Elgin, h. July 22, 1894.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 381
Dor Oren, b. Jan. 27, 1896; d. Aug. 5, 1896.
Philo Harvey, b. Sept. 30, 1898; d. Apr. 17, 1899.
391 Orcelia Sophronia 7 Ranney (sister to Francis Lerov). b.
Jan. 30, 1851, York, Wis.; ,]. MiY. 15, 1896, Albert Lea. Minn.;
m. Apr. 15, 1869, York, Myron W. Sawyer, b. Apr. 9, IS 10. Wen-
dell, Mass. ; merchant. Rep., Bapt., M. W. of A.; res. Albert Lea,
Minn.
Child rrn :
Albert Lea, b. May 17, 1870; m. Hattie M. Balch ; no
children; res. West Salem, Wis.
Eva May, b. May 7, 1873; d. Dec. 3, 1886.
392 Mary Eliza 7 Ranney (sister to Francis Lerov), b. Apr. 26,
1853; m. Nov. 30, 1870, Silas Wilcox, b. Sept. 6, 1844, New York;
d. Feb. 6, 1901, Ruthven, la.; farmer. Rep., private Co. K, 44th
Reg., Wis. Vols., Dec, 1864— Sept.. L865; (he widow res. Britt,
Iowa.
Children :
Henrv Julius, b. Sept. 12. 1871.
Philo' Edward, b. Nov. 19, 1873 ; m. June 4, 1902, Britt,
la., Edna Vial, b. Mar. 24, 1881, Linden, la., dan. of
Abraham Vial and Agnes Ann Tawblyn; res. Britt, la.
Maud Estelle, b. July 6, 1877; m. Oct. 16, 1902, Ruthven,
la., Wilmer Goff, b. May 28, 1877, Ruthven; fanner.
Rep.; res. Ruthven, Iowa. Child:
Verle Wilcox, b. Mar. 28, 1904.
Earl, b. Sept. 19, 1882.
393 Oscar Jav 7 Rannev (brother to Francis Lerov), b. June
26, 1863, York' Wis.; m. July 15, 1885, York, Ada Elizabeth
Forester, b. Feb. 27, 1864, York, dau. of Andrew Forester and
Ada Elizabeth Miller; farmer, Rep., Meth.. E. F. W. ; res.
Marshall, Wis.
Ch ihln n :
Lula Ada, b. Dec. 20, 1887.
Ella Melissa, b. Aug. 23, 1888.
Donald Forester, b. Aug. 28, 1892.
Carol Cecilia, b. July 28, 1900.
394 Sevmour Philo 7 Ranney (brother to Francis Lerov), b.
Julv 19, "1866, York. Wis.; in. Nov. 1, 1893, Waterloo. Wis.,
Millie Louisa Brusso, b. Feb. L6, 1871, Sun Prairie, Wis.; con-
fectioner, Rep., Meth.; res. Marshall. Wis.
382 MIDDLETOWX UTTER HOUSES
Children:
Leon, b. Mar. 13, 1895.
Vera, b. Sept. 8, 1898.
Kenneth, b. May 23, 1900.
395 Lovisa Jane 7 Ranney (Harmon 6 . Eli 5 , Abner 4 , Richard 8 ,
John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. May 27, 1854, Brooklyn, Wis.; m. Jan. 11,
1871, Helena, Mont., Daniel Sullivan, b. Dec. 25, 1847, Boston,
Mass., son of Michael and Honora Sullivan. Mr. Sullivan re-
moved from the Missouri Valley, in 1883. to Shelby, Mont. ; stock
grower, Catholic, F. & A. M., K. of P.; res. Shelby, Mont.
Children:
Flurry Aloysius, b. Nov. 3, 1872; m. Marguerite Connelly.
Michael Francis, b.Apr. 14, 1874; d. Sept., 1874.
Frederick Daniel, b. Jan. 12, 1876; m. Theresa Hilger.
Hanora, b. Mav 15, 1878; m. (1) Anthon Anderson; m.
(2) Eichara Crouch.
John William, b. Oct. 19, 1880; res. Spokane. Wash.
Mary Lucile, b. Apr. 28, 1884; m. Charles Sims.
Michael Francis, b. July 14, 1887; res. Wolf Point, Mont.
Edward Aloysius, b. Jan. 10, 1890.
Frances Ida, b. June 30, 1892.
Marguerite Loretto, b. Sept. 9, 189 1.
Bertha Lovisa, b. July 4, 1900.
396 Sarah Janette 7 Ranney (sister to Lovisa Jane), b. 1856;
m. 1872. William Bobbins, who d. in a blizzard; she d. 1895.
Children:
William Frederick, b. Jan. 20, 1873, Canton, Mont.; m.
Dec. 30, 1896, Helena, Mont., Catherine McLaughlin,
b. Apr. 18, 1877, Stuart, [a., dau. of John McLaughlin
and Irene Lillian Squires; farmer, I. O. O. F., Dem.,
Miners' Union; res. Winston, Mont. Children:
Edward Franklin, b. Oct. 30, 1897; d. Nov. 6, 1901.
Irene Lillian, b. July 21, 1899; d. Oct. 18, 1901.
Daniel J., b. May 1, 1901.
David Lerov, b. Feb. 23, 1903.
Helen Cloy, b. Dec. 20, 1904.
Lucy Lillian, b. ; m. Hamilton; res.
Lewiston, Mont.
Leroy, b. ; unm. ; res. Winston. Mont.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 383
397 Flora Ann 7 Eanney (sister to Lovisa Jane), b. Feb. 17,
1860, Evansville, Wis.; m. Dec. 12, 1875, Gallatin Valley, Mont.,
Leroy Thomas Tillery, b. June 3, 1841, Eiberty, Mo.; stock raiser
and farmer; she d. Aug. 22, 1905, Shelby, Mont. He res. Shelbv,
Mont.
Children:
Annie, b. Sept. 24, 1876; m. Wm. J. Moore; res. Bozeman.
Mont. Child:
Flora, b. Apr. 6, 1903.
Albert, b. Dec. 20, 1877; unm.
Flora, b. Apr. 9, 1879; m. A. W. Eardon. Ees. Townsend,
Mont. Children :
Ora, b. Oct. 17, 1900; d. Dec. 22, 1900.
Leonora, b. Oct. 4, 1904.
Wm. Wesley, b. June 26, 1880 ; d. Mar. 22, 1900.
Laura Bell, b. Oct. 26, 1882 ; d. Feb. 7, 1883.
Babe, b. Feb. 14, 1884; d. Mar. 25, 1884.
Bertha Mabel, b. Sept. 19, 1888.
Hattie Alice, b. Aug. 14, 1890.
Edward Ealph, b. Feb. 24, 1892.
Herman Elmer, b. Oct. 26, 1893.
398 George Frederick 7 Eannev (brother to Lovisa Jane), b.
May 12, 1871, Montana; m. Oct. 23, 1901, Anaconda. Mont.,
Ellen Elizabeth Perkins, b. Dec. 27, 1878, Waterloo, Mont., dau.
of James Perkins and Hannah Vickers; farmer and stock raiser.
Meth.; res. Eace Track, Powell Co., Mont.
Child:
Dorothy Louise, b. May 17, 1905.
399 Eosetta Ida 7 Eanney (sister to Lovisa Jane), b. May 6,
1874, Canton, Mont.; m. Mar. 2, 1895, Great Falls, Mont., John
William Carroll, b. Mar. 17, 1864, Hudson, Wis. ; stock raiser.
Dem., Presb. ; res. Fort Steele, British Columbia.
Children :
John William, b. Dec. 4, 1895.
Bernice Loretta, b. Sept., 1901.
400 Luke 7 Eanney (Julius Caesar 8 , Eli 5 , Abner 4 , Eichard 3 .
John 2 . Thomas 1 ), b. July 30, 1850, Dayton, N. Y.; m. Mar. 2,
1886, Iowa, Ida Luzina Adams, b. May 27, 1867, Black Hawk
Co., la.; res. Cavour, So. Dakota.
384 MIDDLETOWN UPPEE HOUSES
Children:
Alfred Herriek. b. Jan. 21, 1887.
Jessie Myra, b. Apr. 14, 1889.
Ella Rachel, b. May 9, 1891,
Win. Foster, b. Mar. 1!». 1890.
Madge Margaret, b. Mar. 8, 1900.
Frankie Helena, b. June 15, 1902.
401 Nathan Arms 7 Rannev (brother to Luke), b. Aug. 27.
1853, Dayton, N. Y.; m. Oct. 17, 1886, New Auburn, Minn..
Ella Jane Vaughan, b. Oct. 16. 1863, New Auburn, dau. of Free-
man Vaughan and Marion Cordelia McDougall; fruit farmer and
owner of the New Auburn Herald; res. New Auburn, Minn.
Children:
Blanche Lenore, b. Aug. 30, 1887.
Cecil Justin, b. May 12, 1889; youngest editor in the State.
Russell Ray, b. Feb. 23, 1892.
Lola Vaughan, b. Dec. 4, 1894.
Agnes Geraldine, b. June 6, 1897.
Wilfred Iven. b. Nov. 29, 1899; d. Mav 25, 1902.
Noel De Lome, b. Sept. 22, 1903.
402 Alfred Herriek 7 Rannev (brother to Luke), b. Oct. 3, 1858.
Dayton, N. Y. ; m. Feb. 11. L886, Fairbanks. la., Clara Jane
Eock, b. Oct. 3, 1862, Bushnell, 111., dau. of Isaac Hock and
Eliza Livington; telephone engineer. Rep., I. O. O. F., M. W.
A. : res. Mason City, la.
Child:
Glenn Alfred, 1». Oct. 3, 1887.
in:: Ilermon 7 Rannev (brother to Luke), b. July 8, 1863, Day-
ton, N. Y.; m. Dec. 24. 1885, Oclwin, la.. Cora Adell Payne, b.
• hni'' 1!». 1866, Mavnard, la., dau. of Seldoil Payne and Pauline
Orinda Dunbar; P. & A. M.. Rep.; res. Mavnard. la.
Children:
el Mav. 1). Oct. 1, L886.
■ Ruth, b. Apr. 9, L880.
Lvle Vance, b. Dec. 25, L893; d. Feb. 23, 189:;.
Raymond Robert, b. Apr. 85, L894.
Laura. 1,. Sept. L0, L896.
[nez Pauline, b. Mav 30, L898.
Mildred Mary, l>. Oct. 35, 1901.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 385
404 Saloma Evaline 7 Ranney (sister to Luke), b. Nov. 22,
1867, Pit Hole, Pa.; m. Oct. 11, 1895, Fairbank, la., Laurel J.
Barnes, b. July 17, 1865, Maynard, la.; farmer; res. Heekla.
So. Dakota.
Children :
Burr Townsend, b. Aug. 16, 1888.
Vail. b. Feb. 2, 1890.
Floyd, b. Feb. 19, 1892.
Hester Marie, b. May 30, 1900.
Alfred Ranney, b. Jan. 29, 1902.
405 Justin Warren 7 Ranney (brother to Luke), b. Dec. 8, 1870,
Fairbanks, la.; m. Charlotte Angeline Packard, b. Jan. 22, 1874,
Edgewood, la., dau. of Edmund Packard and Calista Carpenter;
Com. Trav., Dem., M. W. A. ; res. Maynard, la.
Children :
Grace Mildred, b. May 15, 1896.
Dale Charles, b. July 3, 1897 ; d. Sept. 15, 1902.
Ruth Evaline, b. Dec. 8, 1899.
Fern Frances, b. June 25. 1902.
406 Alice Serizah 7 Brand (Lovisa Ranney 6 , Eli 5 , Abner 4 , Rich-
ard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Nov. 20, 1852, Gowanda, N. Y.; m.
Dec. 26, 1869, Indianola, la., Henry D. Brown, b. Apr. 10, 1847,
White Water, Ind.; farmer, Christian Ch., I. O. O. F., Rep.;
res. Cumberland, la.
Children :
Edward Munroe, b. Oct, 18, 1870; m. Mar. 16, 1897, Alice
Elizabeth Mountain, b. Juno 9. 1872; res. Atlantic,
la. Children:
Maude, b. Dec. 2, 1898.
Howard Delos, b. Oct. 14, 1900.
Effie Elsie, b. May 20, 1873; m. Mar. 15, 1899, Mark
Pliny Nichols; res. Atlantic, la. Child:
Benjamin, b. Nov. 26, 1904.
George Andrew, b. Apr. 4, 1883; m. June 5. 1907, Pearl
Edwards, b. Jan. 12, 1884; res. Cumberland, la.
407 Sarah Evaline 7 Brand (sister to Alice S.), b. Jan. 28, 1857,
Warren Co., la. ; m. Dec. 25, 1879, Warren Co., la., Joseph
Merritt Lehman, b. Mar. 30. 1852, Miami Co., la. ; farmer,
I. O. O. F., Rep. ; res. Cumberland, la.
386 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Ch ildren :
Warren Arthur, b. Oct. 13, 1880.
Malinda Lovisa, b. Apr. 16, 1882.
Minnie Estclla, b. Mar. 10. 1884; m. Mar. 2, 1904, Frank
Garfield Jarvis; res. Cumberland, la. Child:
Zetta Esther, b. Mar. 9, 1905.
Alvah Walter, b. Mar. 20, 1886.
Ralph Rodna, b. Nov. 28, 1890.
Ora Pautha, b. Sept. 20, 1895.
408 George Clinton 7 Brand (brother to Alice S.), b. Feb. 24,
1861, Warren Co., la.; m. Jan. 15, 1885, Spring Hill, la., Cath-
erine Mary Peverly, b. Jan. 15, 1864, Warren Co., la., dau. of
Francis Brotherton Peverly and Hannah Isabel Dalton. ; farmer.
Rep., Bapt., M. W. A.; res. Indianola, la.
Children :
Edna Isabel, b. June 9, 1886.
Francis Clinton, b. Feb. 27, 1888.
Arthur Peverly, b. Oct. 15, 1891.
Ruth Anna, b." Apr. 3, 1894.
Mary Josephine, b. Nov. 24, 1896.
409 Minnia Louisa 7 Brand (sister to Alice S.), b. May 28, 1C65,
Spring Hill, la.; m. Nov. 13, 1886, Spring Hill, la., William
Peverly, b. Dec. 18, 1859; clothier, Bapt, K. of P., I. O. O. F..
M. W. A.; res. Axtell, Kan.
Children :
Edward Brotherton, b. Dec. 31, 1887.
Howard Dcwitt, b. Aug. 19, 1889.
Joanna Frances, b. Mar. 13, 1891.
Julia Marie, b. Apr. 2, 1893.
William Brand, b. Feb. 21, 1895, twin.
Wilma Alice, b. Feb. 21, 1895, twin; d. July 24, L895.
Esther Estella, b. Feb. 11, 1897.
Eomer Clinton, b. June 28, 1898.
Lowell Eugene, b. Oct. 28, 1900.
Helen Velma, b. Feb. 11, 190!; d. Feb. 2, 1905
I in Mary Jane 7 Brand (sister bo Alice S.), b. Apr. !), 1869.
Warren Co., [a.; m. Oct. L2, L884, William Comer, b. Mar. 6,
L865, Jennings <'<>.. I ml.; farmer, Rep., Am. Soc. Equity; res.
Massena, la.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 387
Ch ildren :
Alfred Eoss, b. Apr. 7, 1889.
Glen Lovell. b. Mar. 8, 1893; d. Julv 4, 1895.
Nellie Brand, b. June 4, 1895; d. Julv 14, 1897.
Harold Dewitt, b. Mar. 18, 1900; d. Sept. 2, 1902.
Carl Emory, b. Nov. 18, 1903.
411 Carrie Elizabeth 7 Brand (sister to Alice S.), b. Mar. 19 r
1871; m. Feb. 23, 1890, Clifton Hall; res. Indianola, la.
Children :
Otis Leslie, b. Mav 29. 1893.
Hazel Esther, b. Jan. 6, 1895.
Milton DeWitt, b. Mar. 7, 1904.
Lloyd Stephen Eanney, b. May 24, 1906.
412 Charles Clinton 7 Eanney (Frank Eli 6 , Eli 5 , Abner 4 , Eich-
ard 3 , John 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. May 3, 1860, Iowa; m. Mar. 3, 1883,
Perrysburg, N. Y., Florence "Madellon Wells, b. Mar. 4, 1860,
Perrysburg, N. Y., dau. of Frank Wells and Jane Ball; dist.
mgr. People's Life Ins. Co., of Syracuse, N. Y. ; Sep., Meth..
A. O. U. W.; res. Fredonia, N. Y.
Children :
Herbert DeLong, b. Mar. 16, 1884.
Harold Wells, b. Nov. 28, 1891.
413 Frank Millard 7 Eanney (brother to Charles Clinton), b
Sept. 12, 1861, Iowa; m. Feb. 14, 1883, Perrysburg, N. Y.,
Charlotte Sophia Eugg, b. Nov. 5, 1857, Chautauqua, N. Y.,
dau. of Major Eugg and Catherine Smith; res. Perrvsburg.
N. Y.
Children :
Blanch Edith, b. May 15, 1884; m. John Willis Hall; res.
Perrysburg, N. Y.
Ida Sophia, b. June 11, 1886; m. Lee Frank Dickinson;
res. Perrysburg, N. Y.
Millard DeWitt, b. Oct. 22, 1888.
Addie Lena, b. June 4, 1891.
414 Mary Ward 7 Eanney (Moses 6 , Joseph 5 , Fletcher 4 , Joseph 3 ,
Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. 1807, Middletown, Conn.; rem. 1830, with
her mother to Cincinnati, O. ; m. Oct., 1843, at the residence of
her brother, Moses, Thomas Hough, b. Jan. 18, 1807, Jefferson
388 BODDLETOWN CTPPEB HOUSES
Co., 0. They rem. 1849, to Spartansburg, Ind.. where she d.
July 1, 1873. He d. June 30, 1896.
( 7/ ildren:
Daughter, h. 1844; d. June 14, 1845.
John, 1). Sept. 18, 1847; m. Sept. 19, 1872, Mary B. Man-
ning, b. .Jan. 21, 1855; res. Spartansburg, Ind. Chil-
dren :
Clarence Bussell, b. Mar. 7, 1878.
Elizabeth Frances, b. Jan. 23, 1880.
Chester Arthur, b. Aug. 3, 1884.
Thomas William, b. May 28, 1886.
Ethel Jane, b. Nov. 26/1887.
415 Henry Joseph 7 Banney (brother to Mary), b. 1808, Middle-
town, Conn., was but four years of age when his father died. His
mother was evidently a superior woman as this son in 1824 entered
the Partridge Military Academy, where he grad. 1828 as Civil
Engineer. Became Asst. Eng. on B. & A. R. B. ; Chief Eng. of
X. 0. & N. II. B. until 1842 ; leased from the State of Louisiana
the N. O. Canal that connects New Orleans with Lake Pontchar-
train and the Gulf of Mexico, which he conducted until his death.
He was also Chief Eng. of the N. 0., Jackson & Great Northern
B. B., now the Illinois Central. He died May 1, 1865, at Lewis-
burg, La. The State sequestered his large property, lie being un-
married and having no near relatives in that State. From a mem-
orandum affixed to a newspaper clipping announcing his death the
following is copied :
"This is the first I have heard from him since the commence-
ment of the war. I have made all the enquiry I could through
friends at New Orleans but could never learn what had become
of him. He was a member of the Louisiana Legislature when that
State seceded and when he wrote to me from Baton Rouge he said
he was doing all he could to prevent the State from seceding, for
which lie was denounced, and said, l before another year yon and I
will live in differenl governments, the masses <>f the people are
opposed to secession bu1 the reins of government are in the hands
of men who will carry the State out of the Onion in Bpite of all
opposition/ I suppose the force of circumstances ha- carried him
along with secession ami ruin ha- been the result. From ease and
comfort I'm- the past twenty-five or thirty years in the City of KTe^i
Orleans in consequence of tin- mad Rebellion he now lie- in an
obscure grave in an obscure town in the interior of Louisiana, the
lasl <d* his family. . . . Major Ranney will he condemned
Mrs. Mary (Ranney) Hougi
(See page 387)
Mrs. Elizabeth Gilchrist Ranney
(See page 290)
Henry Joseph Rannky
(See page 388)
Mosks Ranney
(See page 390)
Mi:s. Rebecca (Ranney) White
(See page 2«9)
l> w n» Sick is i m. 1; \ \ m s
(See page 227)
Rev. l'.MwiN iiikvm Ranney
(See page 392)
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 389
for the course lie has taken in this Rebellion, I too condemn those
that have lifted their hands against their country. But he was my
best friend in the hour of need. For this I will ever remember him
with gratitude. He was kind to me in the darkest hour of my
life."
And this from another source:
" Major Ranney never married. He was President and large
stockholder of the New Canal and Shell Road Co., at New Orleans.
Also a large stockholder in the New Orleans, Jackson and Great
Northern R. R. Co., and during the Civil War was president with
office at Canton, Miss., the terminus of the road at that time. He
was not known to be affiliated with any church. After Lee's sur-
render he sought to enter New Orleans, but learning at Poncha-
toula that he would meet with a hostile reception by Federal au-
thorities in New Orleans, concluded to cross the country some
fifty miles east to Lewisburg on Lake Pontchartrain. Ho was in
feeble health and before peace was fully established in New Or-
leans he died and was buried in the Woods Cemetery north of the
town. The grave is situated in the midst of live oaks and large
magnolia trees."
A lengthy editorial notice in the New Orleans Daily Picayune,
of May 9, 1865, concluded as follows :
" He was a firm, consistent, but liberal and courteous politician,
a member of the old conservative Whig party, in which he wielded
much influence. At the breaking out of the war from which we
are just emerging he was not considered a secessionist, but his
interests were so involved with many who were, as to make a re-
moval from the city expedient. For some time after, he continued
to conduct the running of the railroad, in connection with others.
Since the occurrence of the recent events, foreshadowing the early
termination of the war, we have understood it was his intention
to return to his old home, where he would have been most warmly
welcomed back by his many friends.
" Major Ranney must have nearly, if not fully, attained the age
i)f three-score. He was universally esteemed for his amiable and
genial traits of character. He was benevolent, charitable, and
liberal to a proverb. His board was the centre of a fine hos-
pitality, and a genial smile and a kindly word were ever ready to
invite thereto his always welcome friends. His benefactions to
the poor, and especially to his servants, large numbers of whom
he employed, were bestowed in a manner to make them seem the
acts of a friend rather than of a mere almoner. Many of our
citizens will remember his open house at New Year's and the
scene of the annual visit of his dependents to their kind and in-
390 MIDDLETOWN UPPEE HOUSES
dulgent master. Though a man of notably cheerful and mirthful
character, yet he had ever
" ' . . . a tear for pity, and a hand
Open as the day for melting charity.' "
416 Moses 7 Ranney (brother to Mary Ward), b. 1810, Middle-
town, Conn. ; rem. to Cincinnati, 0., with his mother about 1830 ;
in. Mar. 9, 1837, Cincinnati, 0., Catherine Maria Luckey, b. Dec.
25, 1818, Maysville, Ky., dau. of George Luckey and Eliza Skel-
ton. He was a prominent merchant in the early days of that city
and one of the founders of the Mercantile Library of which he
was president for the first two terms; also one of the founders of
the City Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Ranney's father was a
noted wholesale dry goods merchant, director in the Franklin
Bank, and in the Trust Co., all of Cincinnati. The widow was
mem. Epis. ch. and died Oct. 25, 1906, Cincinnati. Mr. Ranney
died while on a visit to his brother in New Orleans, Aug. 20, 1852,
and was buried there.
Children:
Sarah Keith, b. Apr. 7, 1838; d. Apr. 9, 1838.
Mary Eliza, b. June 14, 1839 ; d. Mar. 14, 1851.
Catherine Maria, b. Apr. 24, 1841 ; d. Dec. 4, 1842.
Clara, b. July 14, 1843 ; d. Apr. 26, 1845.
620a Kate, b. Nov. 9, 1845; m. John A. Cochran.
Alice, b. Nov. 25, 1848; d. Dec. 27, 1848.
417 Asa Sage 7 Eanney (Calvin 6 , Joseph 5 , Fletcher 4 , Joseph 8 ,
Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), bapt. Oct. 3, 1817, went to New Orleans; m.
1845, Howesville, Ky., Virginia Elizabeth Catlin, b. Aug. 16,
1827, Richmond, Va.; d. Nov. 14, 1876, New Orleans, dau. of Dr.
Catlin and Catherine Mary Tibbies, who had rem. to Kentucky.
Mr. Ranney became a clerk for his cousin, Major Henry Joseph
Ranney. When his health failed he went to Florida and then to
the country home of his wife's mother, at McCourt ('it v. Miss.,
where he died in a few months, lie was buried at " Forest Home,"
the Downer homestead. He creeled a headstone in the old (Crom-
well) 1713 cemetery to the memory of Sarah (Eells) Sage, wife
of Asa Sage, after whom he was named.
Children :
621 Clara Frances, b. Aug. 24, L846.
Harry Joseph, b. Feb. 14, 1851: d. July 1. L863.
Hairy Joseph Ranney, the son of Asa Sage Ranney and Vir-
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 391
ginia Elizabeth Catlin, was born in New Orleans, Feb. 14, 1851.
Lived most of his short life at "Forest Home" with his grand-
mother, Mrs. Downer. Was a brave, lovable boy. Attended school
in Madison Co., Miss.
During a raid of Federal soldiers on Jackson from Vicksburg,
the planters of that locality loaded wagons with corn and meal,
and with mules and slaves sought refuge in the interior counties.
Harry was boarding with a Dr. Davis, and started on one of these
wagons, as company for the Doctor's son, a few years older. At
Madisonville, Miss., the wagons were halted to await the result of
the attack on Jackson before going further. On July 4th they
received tidings that the Federals had been repulsed. In boyish
enthusiasm over the good news and to celebrate the 4th, Harry
wished to fire a salute. He climbed upon the hind wheel of the
wagon and grasping a gun by the muzzle attempted to draw it out
from the corn, which was loaded upon it. The hammer caught,
exploding the charge of buck-shot. Harry was struck in the groin
severing the femoral artery. He was buried in the cemetery at-
tached to Pearl River Methodist Church, near Pearl River Aca-
demy. His grave is marked with a marble slab.
418 Polinda Eliza 7 Ranney (Norman 6 , Joseph 5 , Fletcher 4 ,
Joseph 3 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Aug. 21, 1821, Upper Houses; m.
June 18, 1837, Samuel Wilson Lee Clark, b. July 22, 1819, Dur-
ham, Conn., son of Hezekiah Clark, b. Oct. 18, 1786, and Olive
Lee, b. Aug. 23, 1867. S. W. L. Clark rem. to Upper Houses to
the Abraham Ranney house and then to the Fletcher Ranney
house, rem. to Southington, Conn., where he d. Nov. 21, 1880.
She d. Feb. 17, 1904.
Children:
622 Samuel Wilson, b. Mar. 20, 1838.
623 Wm. Henry, b. Dec. 4, 1840.
Lucy Ann, b. Apr. 13, 1843 ; d. unm.
Walter Frederick, b. Aug. 17, 1845, enl. in Co. D, 7th Reg.
Conn. Vols., and d. in Hampton Hospital.
Frances Eleanora, b. Feb. 14, 1848 ; d. unm.
Mary Jane, b. July 3, 1850 ; d.
Norman Ranney, b. Oct. 25, 1852; d.
Susan Janette, b. July 12, 1855 ; d. -
624 Olive Lee, b. Nov. 2, 1857 ; m. Charles Ward.
Hannah Post, b. Feb. 6, 1860 ; d. .
Robert Edward, b. May 5, 1862 ; d. - — ;
Lucretia Elizabeth, b. Sept. 21, 1864; d.
Henry Lafayette, b. Jan. 9, 1867; d. -
392 MIDDLETOWX UPPER HOUSES
419 Rev. Edwin Hiram 7 Ranney (Horace , William 5 , Fletcher 4 ,
Joseph 3 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Sept. 11, 1820, Upper Houses;
m. Vicksburg. Miss., Sept, 14, 1848, Mary Stout, b. Feb. 20, 1826,
Phi la., Pa., dau. of Silas W. and Harriet Stout. He learned the
tailoring art, but became a Baptist clergyman, licensed by the
Cromwell Baptist ch. Voted for Henry Clay in 1844. Private,
Co. A, 28th Penn. Vols. ; enl. June 16, 1863, served in the Gettys-
burg campaign, disc. July 27, 1S64. She died Dec. 10, L886,
De Land. Pla. At the reunion and celebration of the Society of
Middletown Upper Houses, July 19, 1905, he related his reminis-
cences of his boyhood days which are given in this volume. He res.
at the Nugent Home for Baptists in Philadelphia.
Child:
Lizzie Shuck, 1>. June ?. 185? ; d. June 12> 1860.
Iv'O Eenry W. T Ranney (brother of Rev. Henrv Edwin), b.
Oct. 15, 1822, Upper Houses; m. Apr. 19, 1846, Mary Mcintosh,
b. Oct. 3, 1828, E. Saddam, Conn., dau. of Samuel Mcintosh and
Sarah Green. He d. Apr. 16, 1862, Cromwell. Widow res. River-
side, R. I.
Children:
Gertrude A., b. Apr. 28, 1848 ; d. unm. Nov. 16, 1870.
Leila W., b. Apr. 5, 1850; m. Nov. 15, 1870, J. B. Board-
man; res. Riverside, •>'- I- Children:
Name Hilton, b. Sept. 8, 1871.
Gertrude Whitmarsh, b. Mar. 3, 1882.
George W, l>. Aug. 28, 1852; d. July 29, 1854.
Harrie Walton, b. June 4, 1857; m. Nov. 12, 1884, Fannie
Estella 1 > i-i u lts ; res. E. Providence, R, I. Children:
Beatrice Estelle, b. Mar. 26, 1886.
Walton Earle, b. dan. 9, 1893.
Grace Madaline, b. Nov. 28, 1896.
iv 1 Martha 7 Ranney (William' 1 , William 5 , Fletcher 4 , Joseph 8 ,
Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. June 1, 1817, Upper Houses; m. Apr. ?.
1837, Samuel J. Haisden, I). Aug. 26, 1S11, son of James Baisden
and Phebe Paddock, who d. Nov. 8, 1871. He was a carpenter,
Democrat, mem. Leg., Justice of Peace, Assessor. She d. dune.
L907.
( 'hildren :
625 Sarah E., b. Apr. 26, ism; m . Russell Nichols.
626 Charles William, b. May 2, L845.
• ;-.-: M ; ,rv !•:.. b. July 6, L847,
The William Ranney Family Monument
Erected by Zenas Edwards Ranney
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 393
Frank S., b. May L5, L853; m. Grace E. Riggs. Mason,
constable; its. Cromwell, Conn.
422 Timothy 7 Ranney (brother to Martha), b. Jan. 21, 1821,
Upper Houses; m. July 4, 1841, Upper Houses, Maria Mildrum,
dan. of John Mildrum and Betsy Smith ; merchant, farmer,
Sheriff, prominent Democrat; d. Jan. 14, 1891, Cromwell. Widow-
res, in Cromwell.
Children :
628 Mary Estella, b. July 14, 1845 ; m. Timothy Dexter Simpson.
629 Julia Augusta, b. Nov. 3, 1847; m. (1) Isaac Warner; (2)
George S. Wilcox.
629a Kate Maria, b. Sept. 24, 1851; m. Jason .1. Wilcox.
Charles, b. Dec. 8, 1860; d. Feb. 20, 1863.
423 Benjamin 7 Ranney (brother to Martha), b. June 3, 1825,
Upper Houses; m. Susan Platts. Stone-cutter; rem. to Portland,
Conn., where he d. May 5, 1875.
Child:
Wilbur Francis, b. ; m. Mary Adelaide Worth-
ington, dau. of Joseph Sage Worthington and Efne
Amelia Boies. Child:
Paul Worthington, b. July 20, 1898.
424 Zenas Edwards 7 Ranney (brother to Martha), b. Jan. 28,
1829, Upper Houses. After leaving school learned the jewelers
trade, but never followed the business, took a sea voyage on a sail
vessel in the summer of 1848 for his health, which had become im-
paired by close confinement while learning his trade, was in Santa
Cruz, D. W. I., during the Negro insurrection of that year, was
in New Orleans, La., in the fall of 1849 at the close of the ter-
rible cholera epidemic of that year, and early in Feb., 1850, went
from New Orleans up Red River to Texas, and was counted in the
first census of the State taken by the U. S. during the summer of
1850; knew Genl. Sam Houston, and many prominent men of the
State in the early fifties ; lived in Dallas when it was a small fron-
tier village with a population of less than five hundred, and only
one brick building in the town; was engaged as clerk, bookkeeper
and merchant up to 1873, visited California in that year, and
again in 1886 ; in 1887 went to Europe, was in London during
the Queen's Jubilee held that year, also spent one month in Paris,
and returned to Texas in the fall of 1887. Since 1873 he has been
interested in banking in Texas, also in the manufacture of flour,
394 MIDDLETOWN UPPEK HOUSES
cotton seed oil, seamless bags and artificial ice; was a large stock-
holder in the first cotton mill ever built in Sherman, Texas, in
1891, and furnished the cornerstone for same from the N. E.
Brownstone Co.'s quarry of Cromwell, Conn., in which he was also
interested. While not now, 1907, engaged in any active business,
he still retains his interest in the Merchants and Planters Na-
tional Bank of Sherman, Texas, and in the Sherman Ice Co.'s
Plant, which has a capacity for making 100 tons of ice every
twenty-four hours. He now divides his time between Conn, and
Texas, spending a portion of it in each State. When in Conn, he
makes his home near Highland Station, on the Middletown and
Waterbury Rail Road, about seven miles from where he was born ;
he is now in his seventy-ninth year, and has never married.
425 William Keith 7 Ranney (George 6 , William''. Fletcher 4 ,
Joseph 3 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Nov. 1, 1822, Upper Houses; m.
(1) Mar. 8, 1858, Wethersfield, Conn., Jane Holmes, b. 1835,
Wethersfield ; d. July 9, 1885; m. (2) Nov. 17, 1886, Cromwell.
Mary Philomena Burns, b. Feb. 27, 1861, Cromwell, dan. of
Michael Burns and Mary F. Murphy. Stone mason, F. & A. M.:
d. July 19, 1900. Widow res. Cromwell.
Children by 1st marriage:
Charles Keith, b. July 15, 1867; m. Mary Butterworth ; no
children; res. Hartford, Conn.
426 Almira Maria 7 Ranney (sister to William Keith), b. Nov.
1, 1824, Berlin, Conn.; m. Oct. 15, 1864, Hartford, Conn., Joseph
Mcintosh, b. Apr. 24, 1824, Hadlyme, Conn., son of Samuel Mc-
intosh and Sarah Green. He d. May 5, 1898, East Haddam,
Conn. She res. East Haddam, Conn.
427 Samuel Roberts 7 Ranney (brother to William Keith), b.
Nov. 6, 1827, Upper Houses; m. Oct. 10, 1848, Fanny Eavens, d.
1862, dau. of David and Rebecca Havens. He d. July 13. 1865.
Children :
Emma White, b. Aug. 7, 1849; d. Dec. 24, 1886; m. Charles
Treat.
Frederick Starr, b. Dec. 26, 1852 ; res. New Haven, Conn.
Fanny Dudley, b. Apr. 6, 1860; res. New Haven, Conn.
428 Marv Melissa 1 Ranney (Henry , William 5 , Fletcher 4 .
Joseph'' 1 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Oct. 6, 1832, Upper Houses; m.
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 395
May 11, 1852, Cromwell, Conn., Edward Russell Blinn, b. Apr. 26,
1829, West Rocky Hill, son of Fred Blinn and Lucinda Goodrich.
Rep., Meth. He d. Jan. 10, 1900, Cromwell. Widow res. Crom-
well.
Children :
630 Eva F., b. Apr. 10, 1853; m. Aug. 8, 1877, Dr. John H.
Trent.
Edward A., b. June, 1856; unm. Florist; res. Cromwell,
Conn.
Daniel H., b. June, 1859; m. Lela Furness; res. Hartford,
Conn.
631 Mary Ranney, b. Jan. 21, 1863; m. Frank E. Sanford.
429 Caroline Hamlin 7 Ranney (sister to Mary Melissa), b. Feb.
19, 1S36, Upper Houses ; m. there, Oct. 28, 1858, Rockwell Belden
Hale, b. Apr. 23, 1833, Rocky Hill, Conn., son of Jared Hale and
Mary Belden. Retired farmer and butcher, Dem., selectman,
1862-4, assessor, 1888-97, Bapt. ;. res. Cromwell, Conn.
Children :
Henry Rockwell, b. July 8, 1860; d. May 6, 1863.
632 Henrv Ranney, b. Mar. 5, 1863.
633 Burt Jared, b. Jan. 3, 1866.
John Wilder, b. July 22, 1869 ; m. Henrietta Mempard, who
d. . Mem. Legislature, 1907; res. Crom-
well, Conn.
Carrie May, b. May 20, 1876; d. Aug. 17, 1878.
430 Benjamin Henry 7 Ranney (brother to Mary Melissa), b.
Feb. 3, 1840; m. Glastonbury, Conn., Sarah Stevens. Rep.; res.
Cromwell, Conn.
Child:
Charles A., b. Nov. 9, 1872 ; m. Apr. 12, 1898, Frances Dam-
muller, b. May 2, 1876, Rocky Hill, Conn., dau. of
August and Augusta Dammuller. Bapt., florist; res.
Hartford, Conn. Child:
Sarah Agnes, b. Jan. 13, 1899.
431 William W. 7 Ranney (William W. 6 , Charles 5 , Hezekiah 4 ,
Joseph 3 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Nov. 29, 1830, Newburyport,
Mass.; m. (1) Nov. 15, 1855, Livermore, Ky., Rhoda Taylor, b.
; d. Aug. 1, 1859, Livermore, dau. of Silas Tavlor and
Elizabeth Brown; m. (2) May 17, 1886, Grand Meadow', Minn.,
Isabelle Cole Dunbar, dau. of Christopher C. Cole and widow of
396 MIDDLETOWN IJPPEK HOUSES
Rollin Dunbar. Grad. L876, Law Dept., Iowa State Uni., 1st
Li. nit. Co. A. 26th Reg., Ky. Inf.. Rep., Bapt., F. & A. M.. .1.
of Peace .!. of Probate. Judge Ranney reports thai at the battle
of Shiloh his company captured the orderly sergeant of the Con-
federate company in which his own Id-other, George, was serving.
A prisoner related thai the last he saw of George he was helping
to carry his captain off the field. Res. Austin, Minn.
Children :
634 Susan Eliza, b. Aug. is. L856; m. Ole S. Swenson.
[sabella, b. 1858; d. 1858.
635 William Silas, b. July 20, 1859.
L32 Susan Clark 7 Ranney (sister to William W.). b. Aug. 13,
1834, Newburyport, Mass.; d. Oct. 5, 1901, Livermore. Ky. ; m.
Dec. 28, 1854, Andrew Jackson Atherton, b. Nov, L6, is:;:;.' Davis
Co., Ky. Rep., Missionary Bapt.; res. Livermore. Ky.
Children :
636 Beatrice, b. Oct. 21, 1855; m. Thomas Owen.
637 Romeo, b. June 4, 1857.
638 Vina, b. Mar. 12. 1859; m. Richard T. Martin.
639 Zidana, b. Apr. 8, L861 ; m. W. M. Bumphrey.
640 Vasco, b. Aug. 15, 1863.
Guv Ranney, b. Mar. 18, 1867; unm., carpenter,
(ill Vesta C, b. June 25, 1869; m. Roberl C. Owen.
642 Orra Storm, b. Sept. 2s. 187] ; m. Wm. B. King.
L33 [sabella 7 Ranney (sister to William W.) } b. Mar. l<>. is:;;,
Newburyport, Ma-.; d. Oct. 21, 1903; m. Doc. 16, L852, McLean
On.. Kv„ Job Malin Smith, b. I tec. 9, L828; d. May 11, 1867,
Fransona, III. Farmer, mem. Christian eh.
< -hildren :
643 Delilah, b. NTov. 5, Is:,:;: ,,,. .1. A. Miller.
Alexander Campbell, I). Mar. 22, is.",; ; unm., bridge builder;
res. Livermore, Ky.. on bomestead of his grandfather,
Wm. W. Ranney.
«; I I Madura, I,. Mar. 1 I.' L859 ; m. S. P. Miller.
Eorace, I-. Aug. in, L862; d. Feb. 1 I. L881.
645 Sonora, b. Sept. 26, 1864 : m. M. S. Barnett.
i:;i George Ranney (brother to William W.). . . . (The
compiler of this volume a- a chaplain in the army was called on to
- —
WSf*"-
The Home of Mrs. Isabella (Ranney) Smith
(See page 396)
:tfe'
us
: n ■ ■'•
- .-•>: .-Ay
term
iHilfS
■Ifflt
m 0% \ « ,
S"~ '
SWK'-^
8!
The Home of Mrs. Susan Clark (Ranney) Atherton
(See page 396)
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 39;
write many letters for others and he reproduces entire this Letter
of a Confederate to inform the friends of George of his death.
This printed page may fall into (he hands of this Mr. Bailey or
of his friends to assure him thai it may inspire others to "Lend
a Hand"). George Ranney, a druggist, was Corporal of Co. G,
9th Ken. Inf., 1st Ken. Brigade, Breckenridge Division, llarden's
Corps, Western Army. Enlisted Oct. 1, 1861; disc, from Eos-
pital and was captured while making his way to his home.
Camp Chase, Ohio, Oct. 23, '63.
Mr. William Ranney :
Sir: — Your brother received your mother's Letter on 17 inst.,
but being a little unwell at the time he concluded to wait a few
days before answering. He was taken sick on the night of the
14th inst.. but we thought not serious. On Friday the doctor
pronounced it the typhoid pneumonia and ordered him to be taken
to the hospital. There he received the closest attention of doctor
Norris from Owingsborough, who did all in his power to make
him comfortable. We still thought that he would recover, but,
alas, Cod had willed it otherwise. At 7 o'clock this morning He
in His infinite wisdom called him from this world of sin and sorrow
to enjoy the rich blessings of a never ending eternity. We have
been prisoners together ever since the 20th of May, and I am
happy to say that I not only found him a pleasant and agreeable
companion, but a young man that won the respect and esteem of
every one who knew him. And while his friends at home mourn
his loss, we as brothers in the same cause deeply regret that he has
been called away, feeling that we have not only Los1 a true friend
and a good soldier whose place it is hard to fill, but one whose
life had it been spared would have made a bright and shining
star in society. I also would remark for the consolation of his
friends that he was fully prepared for the summons, and quietly
resigned himself to his fate. He retained full possession of his
senses to the last.
Yours with respect,
R. R. Bailey.
439 Charles William 7 Ranney (James Stow?, Charles 5 , Heze-
kiah\ Joseph 3 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Feb. 28, L860, Cromwell. Kv. ;
in. (1) Nov. 20, 1879, Fanny Douglas Norman, !>. July 26, L861,
d. Apr. 1, 1888, dau. of Curran Norman and Pamelia dames; m.
(2) Sept. 9, 1888, Mary E. Arbuckle, b. July 1. L867, dau. of
Curran Arbuckle and Eliza Hodges. Farmer, Dem., Christian Ch.,
F. & A. M.; res. Select, Kv.
398 MIDDLKTOWX UPPER HOUSES
< 'hildren :
Reuben S., b. Nov. 1, 1881 ; d. Apr. 8, 1899.
Guy, b. Jan. 2, 1884.
Floy, b. Feb. 9, 1890.
Lee, b. Mar. 1, 1895.
440 Julia Maria 7 Eanney (Jabez 6 , Hezekiah 5 , Hezekiah 4 ,
Joseph 3 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Feb. 9, 1825, Rochester, N. Y. ;
m. May 18, 1843, Genesee, N. Y., William Loomis Wells, b. Oct.
4, 1818, Geneseo, son of Dr. Cyrus Wells and Linai Fitch Chip-
man; grad. Geneva Med. Coll. and practiced till his death, June
18, 1898. Presb., F. & A. M. Widow res. Howell, Mich.
Children :
William Henry, b. ; d. Feb. 12, 1890; lawyer,
editor; m. Aug. 12, 1873, Ella Josephine Iliff. Chil-
Helen Iliff, b. May 21, 1874.
Julia Eanney, b. Jan. 16, 1876.
Matilda Rayburn, b. Aug. 14, 1884.
Julia Ranney, b. Apr. 11, 1853; d. July 1, 1877; m. July
27, 1876, Edward Willard Wetmore. She was a mu-
sician of promise. He m. (2) ; and is with
State Normal School, Albany, N. Y.
441 Harriet Cornelia 7 Ranney (sister to Julia Maria), b. Nov.
25. 1827, Rochester, N. Y.; m. Mar. 21, 1854, Milo Lee Gay,
b. June 20, 1825, Salisbury, Conn.; died Mar. 31, 1884; son of
Edward F. Gay and Clarissa Lee. She d. Mar. 18, 1903. Both
Episcopal. He grad. 1848, Oberlin ; adm. 1853 to Michigan Bar,
Active Magistrate, 1856-68, Howell, Mich., Circuit Court Com-
missioner, 1858-9, mem. Legislature, 1869-70, then banker at
Fowlerville, Mich., Howell Commandery 1\. T.
Child:
Elizabeth Ranney, b. Aug. 21, 1862; m. Feb. 15, 1886,
Charles Wilkins Ilayden, b. July 22, 1860, Martins-
burg, W. Va, Jeweller; res. Oakland, Cal.
442 Julius Augustus 7 Ranney (brother to Julia Maria), I). Aug.
23, 1831; m. Jan. 8, 1867, Mary Brown; res. at Honeoye Palls,
N. Y.
Child:
I wmi se, b. .
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 399
443 Jennie Mary 7 Ranney (sister to Julia Maria), b. Nov. 30,
1836, Geneseo, N. Y. ; d. May 21, 1905, Howell, Mich. ; m. Apr. 12,
1859, Howell, William McPherson, Jr., b. Scotland, son of William
McPherson and Elizabeth Riddle. She was for 30 years active in
the Presby. ch. and S. S. He is a banker in Howell, Mich.
Children :
William Frederick, b. ; d. Oct. 20, 1878.
645a Alice, b. Nov. 18, 1862 ; m. Dr. W. C. Spencer.
Robert Bruce, b. ; res. Howell, Mich.
645b Mary Blythe, b. May 22, 1865 ; m. J. W. Bigelow.
444 Frank George 7 Ranney (brother to Julia Maria), b. Apr.
9, 1838, Geneseo, N. Y.; m. Dec. 5, 1861, Niagara Falls, N. Y.,
Frances Amelia 6 Hamlin, b. Sept. 1, 1841 Oswego, N. Y. ; d. July
25, 1899, Rochester, N. Y., dau. of Samuel Deming 5 Hamlin
(John 4 , Charles 3 , William 2 , Giles 1 ), and Frances M. Griswold.
She rendered much assistance in compiling the Giles Hamlin Book.
He is Epis. and merchant, F. & A. M. ; res. Rochester, N. Y.
Children :
Agnes Alice, b. July 6, 1862 ; d. Aug., 1865.
Frederick Hamlin, b. Jan. 7, 1864 ; d. Sept., 1865
Arthur Wells, b. July 16, 1868; m. June, 1891, Lucy Whit-
tlesey Cross; res. Century, Fla. Children: Marjorie,
Hamlin, William Packard.
Rheny Packard, b. Nov. 20, 1870; d. Feb. 15, 1871.
Louis Griswold, b. July 24, 1872 ; d. 1903 ; m. Kathryn Ford.
Frances Hamlin, b. Oct. 18, 1873 ; m. Oct. 15, 1893, Herbert
Clifford Howlett, b. May 23, 1871; bank clerk; res.
Rochester, N. Y.
Lola Maria, b. Jan. 20, 1875; d. Jan. 17, 1885.
Mabel Emily, b. Mar. 7, 1883.
445 Frederick Packard 7 Ranney (brother to Julia Maria), b.
Oct. 24, 1844; d. Sept. 21, 1884 fin. Aug. 15, 1872, Kansas City,
Mo., Ella Case, b. .
Children:
Julia Case, killed by a cyclone.
Florence, b. ; m. Wm. Kerley; res. Shreveport,
446 David Francis 7 Ranney (David Gardner 6 , David Stocking 5 ,
Hezekiah 4 , Joseph 3 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Apr. 13, 1847, Boston,
in: MIDDLETOWN UPPER EOUSES
Mass.; m. (1) Apr., 1879, Girard, Kan.. Theresa Eslinger; m. (2)
Lizzie Bartol; res. Chicago, Jll.
Children by 1st marriage:
Francis Gardner : res. Boston. Mass.
Edwin Granville; res. Boston, Mass.
.lame- Ileivey. res. Boston, Mass.
( 'hi hi by 2d marriage:
Marie Curtis, b. Dee. 24, L893; res. Boston, Mas-.
447 George Henry 7 Ranney (brother to David Francis), b. Aug.
3,1850, Boston, Mass.; m. Apr. 26, 1882, St. Paul, Minn., Fanny
Rosamond Willes (Willis), b. Sept. 6, L859, St. Paul, dau. of
Charles L. Willes and Anna Marie Gleeson. She is Episcopal,
me,,,. I). A. R., State Regent of The Children's Society of the
American Revolution. He received his education in the public
schools and Chauncey Hall. grad. at Bus. Coll. In l s ls rem. to
St. Paid and est. the Ik. use of Ranney & Bodgman, the first ex-
clusively whole-ali' rubber house in the West, north of Chicago,
becoming the St. Pau] Rubber Co. Since 1889 a manfr. of sheet
metal, director Second Nat. Bank; res. St. Paul. Minn.
Children :
Willis, h. dan. 1 1. 1883; grad. L907, Mass. [nstitute of Tech-
nology as ('. E.
Lillian Curtis, b. May 3, 1885; grad. Oak Hall Sem., St.
Paul and "Castle School," Tarrvtown. X. Y.
Alfred Gardner, b. dune 5, 1889, grad. 1907, Central High
School.
lis Martha Ann 7 Hubbard (Gen. Aimer". Esther 8 Hamlin.
Lucretia 4 Ranney, Daniel 8 , Joseph 2 , Joseph 1 ), b. Sept. L5, L816,
Norwich, \'t.: m. May 30, L838, Rochester, X. Y.. Horatio Gates
Wolcott, b. Apr. 21, L804, Trenton, \. Y.. woolen mfg. and flour
mills. Epis. Shed. Nov. 22, L856, Clifton Springs, N. Y. He d.
\><i-. 8, L881, Covington, l\\.. descendant of John Wolcotl of
Galdon Manor. Tolland, Somerset, Eng.
( 'hildrcn :
Henry, b. dune L9, L839.
Francis E., b. Dec l:;. L840.
Frederick P., b. Sept. L6, L842.
Millicent, b. Sept. ;. L845; tn. Frederick Burckhardt.
646 Mary Elizabeth, b. Jan. I. 1848; m. William Sparrow
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY 401
448a Rev. William Ranney 7 Baldwin (Clarissa G-aylord 8 Ran-
ney, William 8 , Jonathan*, Jonathan' 1 , Joseph-, Thomas 1 ), b. Oct.
24, 1840, Middletown, Conn.; m. Sept. 15, 1863, Middletown,
Laura Malinda Prior, b. May 27, 1842, Middletown, dan. of War-
ren Prior and Caroline Malinda Newell. She taught in Middle-
town schools. He grad. Wesleyan, 1862, A. M., 1865 ; engaged in
teaching, 1862-69; business to '73; preaching to 1897; invalid,
1904; Sec.-Treas., A^ermont Baptist Hist. Soc. ; Pres. Y. M. C. A.,
Holyoke, Mass. ; Trustee Baptist Minister's Home Society ; mem.
XI chapter of Psi Upsilon ; Phi Beta Kappa. He retired to
Friendship, N. Y., where he d. June 26, 1906. Widow res. Friend-
ship, X. V.
Child:
Battie Prior, b. Aug. 5, 1864, Middletown; m. dune 28,
1893, Saxton's River, Vt,, Asher Miner Wellman, b.
Nov. 13, 1866, Friendship, N. Y., Pres. First Nat.
Bank, index clerk of N. Y. State Senate, Bep., Bapt.,
F. & A. M., Psi Upsilon Yale, B. P. 0. E. Mrs. Well-
man is Gamma Phi Beta Syracuse Uni., D. A. R.; res.
Friendship, N. Y. Children :
Kathrvn Ivel, b. May 7, 1894.
Raymond Baldwin, b. May 18, 1897: d. Aug. 22, 1898.
Laura Baldwin, b. Aug. 9, 1900.
Harriet Louise, b. Oct. 9, 1904.
449 William 7 Rannev (William , William''. Jonathan*, Jona-
than 3 , Joseph 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Mar. 27, 1850, N. Y. City; m. Oct,
1880, West Hoboken, N. J., Sarah Collins, b. June 30, L864; edu-
cated in private schools, Catholic. In mercantile life in N. Y.
City; res. West Hoboken, N. J. ,
( 'hildren:
Sarah, b. July 3, 1881.
William, b. July 3, 1881; d. July 21. 1881.
Gertrude, b. dan. 11. 1884: d. Dee. 2. 1888.
Teresa, b. Oct. 29, 1885; d. Dec. 5. 18SS.
Margaret, b. Jan. 7, 1888.
Ada, b. Jan. 7, 1888 ; d. Oct. 29, 1888.
Clarissa, b. Feb. 12, 1901.
450 James Joseph 7 Ranney (brother to William), b. Nov. 1,
1853, West Hoboken, N. J.; m. Apr. 24, 1881, N. Y. City, Eliza-
beth Finer, b. May 11, 1858, N. Y. City, dan. of Ignatius Charles
Finer and Elizabeth Saltier. Accountant to 1896 with Singer
402 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
Mfg. Co. Since then conducting a summer hotel at Yulan, Sulli-
van Co., N. Y.
Children :
Lauretta Mary Margaret, b. Aug. 17, 1882.
Claude Joseph, b. Dec. 27, 1883.
William Gaylord, b. Sept. 23, 1885, clerk, 17 Warren St.,
N. Y. City.
451 Elizabeth Gridley 7 Eanney (James 6 , James 5 , Ebenezer 4 ,
Ebenezer 3 , Ebenezer 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Feb. 18, 1833, Upper Houses;
m. Oct. 3, 1860, Charles Collard Adams, b. June 22, 1836, Wash-
ington, D. C, son of George Adams and Jemima Collard. A. B.,
1859, Wesleyan Uni., A. M., 1877, Trinity College. Episcopal
clergyman to 1883. Since Nov. 1, 1883, a Catholic layman. Given
to newspaper and literary work. Chaplain of 22d IJe.u. Conn.
Vols., 1862-3. Officiated at the burial of General Nathaniel Lyon.
Active Democrat in promoting local reforms; res. Cromwell.
Children:
Elizabeth Virginia, b. Nov. 4, 1861. Teacher; res. Crom-
well.
647 James Mortimer, b. June 30, 1863.
648 Chas. Samuel Gridley, b. Aug. 17, 1867.
Arthur Ranney, b. June 10, 1870; d. Apr. 27, 1893.
[Adams-Collard Lineage — Francis Adams, b. 1642-3, in Eng-
land; came to Maryland and acquired lands (1663-1671 ) in Charles
County, south of the present city of Washington, and called
" Troops Rendezvous." Ho died in 1698.
i Lieut. George Godfrey and Mary, widow of John Payne, were
married before 1674. He was Lieut, of Horse and Justice of the
Peace in 1681.
Francis 2 Adams, I,. 1675; m. 1704, Mary Godfrev. His will is
dated Nov. 30, 1760.
Georgc : '' Adams, the second son. m. Gillam Martin. Children:
Marl in. Frank, Samuel, < Irace and Selia.
Samuel' Adams was married Doc. 28, 1777, to Sarah Nelson,
both of Durham Parish, Charles County, by the Rev- Henry Fen-
dall. lie was enrolled July '^5, 1776, by Ensign William Adams
in the Maryland Militia. * (Md. Mfaster Rolls, vol. 18, p. 32).
Children: Thomas, George^ Anne. Sallie.
George" Adams. 1». L781. rem. L798, to Washington City. Was
a tnerchanl through life, for over thirty year- treasurer of Eben-
Ezer M. E. church, leader of Class No. L, and Supt. of S. S. till
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS KANNEY 403
ill health required him to withdraw. Served in the war of 1812 ;
m. Feb. 13, 1816, Jemima Collard. He d. Feb. 20, 1844. She
d. Mar. 15, 1852.
Samuel 1 Collard of England, settled in Maryland, 1760, near the
present City of "Washington; m. Oct. 31, 1762, Agnes Ochterloney,
both of St. John's Parish, Prince George County, by the Eev.
Henry Addison, rector. In 1771 Samuel Collard purchased several
pieces of property in Carrollsburg, now within the City of Wash-
ington, of Daniel Carroll, who married Miss Fenwick, whose
parents owned " Duddington Manor," which included the strip
of territory on which stands the Catholic University, the Capitol,
Carrollsburg, etc.
John George 2 Collard, b. Sept. 29, 1769, in St. John's Parish,
resided on land given him in Carrollsburg by his father. He m.
Elizabeth Johnson, b. Oct. 14, 1771, Fauquier Co., Va., the young-
est of thirteen children. He was the first official of the Methodist
church in what was the City of Washington, representing them in
a quarterly conference held, 1802, in Georgetown. The preacher
was to preach one-third of the time in Washington and two-thirds
in Georgetown. His home was with Mr. Collard. He d. July 5,
1814. She d. in 1843. Jemima 3 Collard was b. Dec. 23, 1798.]
452 Cornelia L'Hommedieu 7 Eanney (sister to Elizabeth Grid-
ley), b. Dec. 10, 1840, Upper Houses; m. Oct. 23, 1872, Arthur
H. Merrill. She d. Oct. 11, 1873. Her child was baptized by the
side of her coffin at the time of her funeral.
Child:
Cornelia L'Hommedieu, b. Oct. 4, 1873 ; m. Sept. 24, 1892,
Howard Francis ; res. Newington, Conn. Children :
Arthur Merrill, b. July 17, 1893.
Benjamin, b. Feb. 13, 1898.
EIGHTH GENERATION.
453 Fred Rawson 8 French (Rebecca 7 Stetson, Hannah Hook
Ranney, Thomas Stow 5 , Jeremiah 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ),
b. Nov. 15, 1857, Bridgewater, Mass.; m. (1) Dec. 15, 1897, No.
Bridgewater, Alice Bell Upham, b. Aug. 13, 1869, Stoughton,
Mass.; d. May 29, 1902, Campello, Mass.; m. (2) Nov. 18, 1903,
Brockton, Mass., Lillie Alice Farrar, b. July 11, 1874, Jersey City,
N. J., dau. of Samuel Page Farrar and Sarah Palmer. Rep.,
Swedenborgian, F. & A. M., collector of taxes, 1892-1902: res.
Campello, Mass.
Child:
Frederic Rawson, b. Oct. 27, L904.
I.'. I Nancy Emily 8 Davis (William 7 . Martha Path" Ranney,
Solomon 5 , Jeremiah 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Oct. G,
1849, Kortright. N. Y. ; m. May 4, 1879, Kortright, N. Y.,
Samuel Carson Mitchell, b. Jan. 3, 1851, Meredith, X. Y. ; F. &
A. M., clerk in Adj. General's office, Washington, D. C. ; d. Apr.
12, 1890, Washington, 1). ('.; widow res. Bloomville, N. Y.
( 'hildren :
William Carson, b. Aug. 9, L880; m. E. E. Howard; res.
Bloomville X V.
Xancv Alice, h. Apr. L5, L882 ; d. Aug. is. L884.
Hugh Anderson, b. July 18, 188,3; res. Bloomville X. V.
Grant, b. Feb. 3, 1888; d. Apr. 25, 1888.
455 Martha J. 8 Davis (sister to NTancy Emily), b. ^.ug. 15,
1853; m. June 30. 1872, Daniel R. Ceas, b. July 2, 1855, \Vw
York City; res. Bloomville. X. V.
Cliil (J nn :
William I).. I,. May 29, 1873; m. 1899, Helen Bailey.
Delbert .1.. b. Sept., 30, L874; m. 1902, Jennie Spicker-
man.
Frank R., b. \m. 27, 1889; d. Mar. 13, 1894.
156 Ferris Edward 8 Davis (Andrew Jackson 1 Davis, Martha
Patty" Ranney, Solomon 6 , Jeremiah 4 , Thomas*, Thomas 2 ,
404
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RAXNFY 405
Thomas 1 ), b. Apr. 2, 1856, Kortright, X. Y. : in. Aug. 38, L878,
Delhi, N. Y., Isabel Catherine Eose, b. Sept. 1, 1857, Delhi. X. Y.
Ees. Delhi. N. Y.
Children :
Cora Edith, b. Jan. 23, 1882.
Helen Sturges, b. Oct. 23, 1883.
Frances Anabel, b. Aug. 29, 1886.
Edna Eose, b. Apr. 15, 1888.
Effie Belle, b. Nov. 3, 1890.
Edmund Eose, b. June 29, 1893.
Andrew Ferris, b. May 28, 1896.
Mary Priscilla, b. Jan. 7, 1900.
457 Susan A. 8 Eannev (Boval 7 . Jeremiah 6 , Stephen 5 , Jere-
miah 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Oct. 4, 1840, Cape
Girardeau, Mo.; m. Apr. 12, 1860, Little York, 111., William
Edward Smith, b. Jan. 31, 1832: d. May 15, L889; she d. Apr.
14, 1889.
Children:
649 Emma Maria, b. Jan. 28, 1861; m. A. D. Hawkin>.
650 Edward E., b. July 29, 1862,
Nathan W., b. June 16, 1864.
George C, b. Aug. 10, 1866; d. Sept., 1891.
E. N., b. May 26, 1869.
651 Mary Elizabeth, b. May 19, 1871; m. Alonzo McFarland.
Martha, b. May 19, 1871 ; d. May. 1871.
Samuel J., b. *Mar. 10, 1874.
Minnie A., b. Mar. 21, 1876.
William E., b. Jan. 21, 1881.
458 Nathan Cornelius 8 Eanney (brother to Susan A.), b. July
4, 1842, Jackson. Mo.; m. Apr." 7, 1869, Little York. Til.. Emily
Cecilia Whelan, b. Oct. 28, 1848, Brooklyn, N. Y., dau. of James
Whelan and Margaret Moore; private, Feb., 1864, in Co. C, 91si
111. Cols.; transferred July, 1865, to 28th 111. Vols., and stationed
at Brownsville, Texas, and while there witnessed the battle of
Matamoras, between Maximilian and the Mexicans; mustered <>uf
Mar. 15, 1866; since then he lias been engaged in farming and
stock raising on an extensive scale; Eep., Meth., Com. of High-
ways, 1885-89. Supervisor for some years; d. Sept, 11. L906.
Cli ildren :
652 Mary Ann Arminda, b. May 16, 1870; m. Charles Laird.
653 William Cornelius, b. I »•'(•. 12, 1871.
406 MIDDLETOWN UPPER HOUSES
654 James Royal, b. June 1, 1874.
Joseph Jeremiah, b. June 27, 1875.
Margaret Myrtle, b. Sept. 15, 1880.
Lottie Emily, b. Jan. 31. 1885.
Matilda Gertrude, b. Mav 2, 1887.
Maud Esteline, b. May 7,' 1S89.
459 Mary Elizabeth 8 Ranney (sister to Susan A.), b. May 6,
1846, Cape Girardeau, Mo.; m. Apr. 11, 1874, Menominoo. Wis.,
Joseph Hamilton Gates, b. Nov. 4, 1850, Highland, 111., son of
Joseph McDougal Gates; real estate, Notary Public, school di-
rector. J. P., Supt. Schools. School Com., Rep., I. 0. 0. P., M.
W. A., F. N. of A. ; res. Riee Lake, Wis.
Children:
Joseph Royal, b. May 6, 1S75; d. Feb. 21, 1877.
George Gilbert Wilbur, b. Mav 10, 1876.
Joseph McDonough, b. Feb. 1, 1878.
Royal Ranney, b. Aug. 16, 1879; d. Feb. 3, 1880.
Jeremiah Clarence, b. Oct. 18, 1880.
Susan Arminda. b. Apr. 9. 1883; d. Apr. 10, 1883.
Bessie Annie, b. Sept. 2. 1884; d. Oct. 15, 1888.
Laurie Elsie, b. Mar. 6, 1887.
460 Jeremiah 8 Ranney (brother to Susan A.), b. Aug. 28,
1848. Mercer Co.. 111.; m. Mar. 25, 1880, Keithsburg, 111., Clara
Emma Thomson, b. Mar. 12. 1859. Keithsburg, 111.; d. Feb. 2.
1906; dau. of John Smith Thomson and Martha P. Gruwell;
farmer and stockman, Rep.; res. Seaton, 111.
CliUdren:
655 Royal William, b. June 5, 1881.
656 Joseph Marion, b. Sept. 26. 1882.
Stillborn son, b. Apr. 6, 1884.
Ben Thompson, b. Mar. 2, 1886 ; d. July 20, 1892.
Susan Ruth, b. Feb. 1, 1888.
Clarence Jeremiah, b. Sept. 11, 1889.
Mary Vera, b. Apr. 10, 1891; d. Sept. 22, 1896.
John Charles, b. June 26, 1895.
(Mara Edna, b. June 8, 1898.
n;i Royal Gilbert 8 Rannev (brother to Susan A.), b. Sept. 1.
1851, Little York, 111.; m. Dec. 31, 1891, Seaton, 111, Josephine
Sim,!,. I,. July 25, 1856, Oquawka, 111., dau. of George Sloan and
DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS EANNEY 407
Frances Uetterton. Mr. Eanney was born and raised on the farm
on which he is now living, being the youngest of his father's
family. He received his education in a country school, and in a
good normal school. At the age of twenty-two he entered into
a partnership with his father in extensive farming and stock
raising and feeding. At the age of twenty-eight he began raising
pure bred Hereford cattle, starting with a herd of three registered
Herefords, and has been so successful that at the present time he
is considered to have one of the largest and best herds of registered
Herefords in the State of Illinois. He is also largely interested
in real estate in Missouri and western Canada; res. Little York,
Illinois.
Children:
Eoval Gilbert, b. Jan. 1, 1893.
Nathan Charles, b. Nov. 10, 1894.
462 William Thomas 8 Eanney (Johnson Camp 7 , Johnson 6 .
Stephen 5 , Jeremiah 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. 1862,
Jackson, Mo.; m. Amanda Claire; d. June 14, 1898; widow res.
Monte Viste, Cal.
463 Johnson Camp 8 Eanney (brother to William Thomas), b.
Jan. 23, 1864, Jackson, Mo.; m. Lucy Hestand; carpenter,
Dem. ; res. Oakland, Cal.
Children :
William.
Elizabeth.
464 John Gayle 8 Eanney (brother to William Thomas), b. Feb.
27, 1873, Jackson, Mo. ; m. Apr. 22, 1897, Caroline Richards. He
was a miller and Dem., d. Feb. 18, 1904; widow res. Jackson, Mo.
465 William Eanney 8 Beardslee (Mary Gayle 7 Eanney, John-
son 6 , Stephen 5 , Jeremiah 4 , Thomas 3 , Thomas 2 , Thomas 1 ), b. Sept.
19, 1864, Jackson, Mo. ; m. June 1, 1893, Commerce, Mo., Carrie
Eoss, dau. of James Eoss and Euth Barnes ; farmer, Dem., Meth. ;
res. Commerce, Mo.
Children:
Euth. b. .
Mary, b. .
466 Thomas Johnson 8 Beardslee (brother to William Eanney),
b. Oct. 17, 1866, Jackson, Mo.; m. Feb. 1, 1893, Commerce, Mo.,
Annie Gaither, b. Aug. 24, 1868, Commerce, Mo., dau. of John
408 MIDDLETOWN CJPPEK HOUSES
and Columbia Gaithcr; Deni., Meth., fanner, merchant, lumber-
man, F. & A. M., U. W. of A.; res. Randies, Mo.
( 'hildren :
Emma, b. Nov. L2, L893.
John Clarence, b. Oct. 17, 1895.
Frederick Gaither, b. Dec. 10, 1897.
Harry Blackburn, b. Oct. 28, L900.
Thomas Ralph, b. May 6, 1903.
461 Mary Elizabeth 8 Beardslee (sister to William Kannev),
Dec. 22,